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23  WEST  MAIN  STREET 

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Canadian  Institute  for  Historical  Microreproductions  /  Institut  Canadian  de  microreproductions  historiques 


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et  de  haut  en  bas.  en  prenant  le  nombre 
d'images  nAcessaire.  Les  diagrammes  suivants 
illustrent  la  mAthode. 


1 

2 

3 

1 

2 

3 

■      * 

• 

• 

^ims^sisssssmssss. 


L 


SKETCHES  AND  STORIES 


OF  THE 


LAKE  ERE  ISLANDS 


BY 


THERESA  THORNDALE, 


e^ 


SOUVENIR  VOLUME 


.«     t 


^ 


1  •    '. 


SANDUSKY,  OHIO: 

I.  F.  Mack  ol  Brother,  Publishers. 

1898. 


COPYRIGHTED    1898, 


^  V  « 

•  ••  •  : 


•  •    • 

•  •  •  • 


•  •• 


•  • 


•  •  • 


•  •  • 


•  • 


•   •• 

•  •   • 

• « • 

•  •  •  • 


•  ♦  • 


« •  •  • « 


REGISTER  PRESS, 

SANDUSKY,  OHIO. 
1898 


I 
1 


18,39?0 


TABLE  OF  CONTENTS. 


A  Gem  of  Historic  Setting. 

7  •  •  • 

Perry's  Victory  in   the   Light  of   Local 
Remix'scexce, 

'  •  •  •  . 

Put-in- Bay  in  Song  and  Verse, 

Visitors  from  Another  World:  Story  of 
THE  Battle  of  Lake  Erie, 

A  Notable  Conspiracy:  Capture  of 
Steamers  Island  Queen  and  Philo 
Parsons  by  Confederate  Plotters, 

Summertime  Saunterings  Among  Island 
Resorts.  •         •         .         .         . 

Hotel  Victory, 

'  *  •  •  • 

Tent  Life,     ....... 

Under  a  Steamer's  Headlights:  The  Ad- 
ventures OF  Two  Silly  Girls, 

Winter  at  an  Island  Resort, 

An  Icequake,  or  the  Wreck  of  Herrlng- 
TOWN.      (Story.)  .... 

Romance  of  the  Icy  Plains.     (Story.) 

Pen  Sketches  of  Historical  Characters: 
No.  I,  Capt.  John  Brown,  Jr., 
No.  2,  Owen  Brown,       .... 

Autumn  Etchings, 

Fruit  Harvest  in  the  Archipelago, 

*'IsLE  De  Fleurs," 

Middle  Bass  and  Her  Attractions,    . 

Experiences  of  an  Old  Doctor  Among  the 
Islands, 


PACE 

7 

23 
35 

47 


68 

82 

94 
I  go 

III 
119 

135 
146 

168 

174 
181 

189 

192 

198 


L. 


IV 


CONTENTS, 


Page 

Perilous  Adventure:     Trip  With  the  Isl- 
and Mail, 201 

Kelley  Island  and  Her  Resources,    .        .        208 

"Echo":     The   Iroquois    Maiden.     (Story.)       220 

Everything    Wrong,    or    the    Trials   of 

Nicholas  Beetlebrow,  .         .         .238 

Adventures  in  Qur:EN  Victoria's  Dominions, 

(Point  Au  Pelek).      ....       254 

Beautiful  Ballast, 261 

"UN».i.E  Jlmmv." 266 

Castled  Gibraltar  and  its  Lord,       .         .       271 

Johnson's  Island:     Burial  Ground  of  the 

Confederate  Dead 279 

"Brown  Sugar:"  Reminiscence  of  San- 
dusky Bay.      ...         •         .         .       289 

What      the      Drift      Brought     Ashore. 

(Story.)  ......       300 

The    Adventuri'Is    of   an   Island  "Family 

Robinson."     (Story.)        ....       310 

Castaway:     Romance  of  Rattlesnake,      .       324 

Crusoe  Islands  of  Erie,       .         ,         .         .331 

An  Eventful  Night.  (Thrilling  Story  of 
the  Burning  of  Green  Island  Lighthouse 
in  1864.) 339 

Some   Interesting    Geological    Features: 

The  "Lost  Atlantis"  of   Lake  Erie.       345 

Among  the  Fisheries,         ....       356 

Storm  and  Darkness,      .         .         .  .       366 

Wreck  of  the  Dean  Richmond,  .         .       373 

An      Old     Steamer's    Farewell.     (Word 

Etching) 376 


INTRODUCTION. 


As  a  journalist  and  general  newspaper  contrib- 
utor, resident  for  several  years  at  Put-in-Ba}',  the 
writer  has  been  afforded  ample  opportunity  of  becom- 
ing  thoroughly  acquainted  with  each  individual  island  of 
the  Lake  Erie  group;  and  has  frequently  expressed  sur- 
prise that  no  literary  delver  has  ever  entered  the  field 
with  a  view  to  the  systematic  working  up  of  resources 
so  extensive  and  varied. 

The  object  of  the  work  here  submitted  is,  there- 
fore, to  present  in  compact  form  a  collection  of  inter- 
esting and  hitherto  unutilized  material;  historical,  rem- 
iniscent, legendary,  combined  with  story  and  romance, 
tales  of  adventure  and  matter  descriptive  of  the  pict- 
uresque and  striking  scenes  in  which  the  Islands 
abound. 

Though  appearing  in  fictitious  garniture,  most  of 
the  stories  herein  transcribed  are  founded  upon  fact; 
and  are  true  in  detail  to  life  and  conditions  as  they  ex- 
ist in  the  archipelago. 

While  the  compass  of  this  volume  is  not  sufficient 
to  contain  all  the  material  of  interest  and  importance 
which  might  be  collected,  the  aim  of  the  writer  has 
been  to  combine  as  much  thereof  as  possible,  and  trusts 
that  the  work  may  meet  with  a  favorable  reception. 

The  Author. 


A  GEM  OF  HISTORIC  SETTING. 


"  O,  boatman,  row  me  gently  slow, 
Into  the  golden  sunset  glow, 
That  crowns  the  dying  day; 
Out  where  the  emerald  islands  lie, 
In  the  crimson  sea  of  the  western  sky, 
Row  me  away,  away  " 

Environed  by  an  atmosphere  of 
poetic  fancy  and  historic  lore,  the 
Islands  of  Lake  Erie  have  fur- 
nished from  time  to  time  the  ba- 
sis of  many  an  entertaining  sketch, 
story  and  poem,enibodying  the  best 
thoughts  of  some  of  America's 
gifted  writers.  The  blendings  of 
fact  and  fancy,  and  the  crisply 
touched  word  pictures  employed 
in  the  productions  show  an  in- 
spiration which  only  a  meritorious 
subject  could  infuse.  That  men 
and  women  of  genius  have  made 
the  locality  a  field  for  literary 
and  historical  research,  coupled 
with  the  fact  that  it  is  annually 
visited  by  thousands  of  tourists 
and  excursionists,  and  is  constantly 

becoming  more  widely  known  and  popular,  establishes 

its  claim  as  especially  worthy  of  note. 


A  GEM  OF  HISTORIC  SETTING. 


Since,  however,  all  that  has  been  written  concerning 
the  archipelago  by  visiting  journalists  and  literary  con- 
tributors, has  been  of  a  desultory  and  fragmentary 
character,  the  idea  of  collecting  for  preservation  within 
the  compass  of  a  volume  some  of  the  loose  material 
so  abundant,  has  been  carried  out  by  the  writer 
in  the  following  sketches  and  stories. 

Approaching  by  any  of  the  marine  highways  mark- 
edon  the  charts  of  lake  navigators,  the  voyager,  who 
from  deck  of  cruising  vacht  or  steamer  first  sights  the 
archipelago,  is  charmed  by  the  beauty  which  encircles 
and  pervades  it.  When  the  islands  are  bright  with  the 
variegated  greens  of  summer  foliage,  and  the  tranquil 
waters  mirror  the  deep  blue  of  aerial  heights,  the 
group  seems  a  veritable  emerald  cluster  in  a  setting  of 
sapphire.  Its  dreamy  groves,  its  vine  embowered 
haunts  and  ethereal  distances  kindle  the  poetic  fancy 
and  delight  the  eye. 

Down  through  time's  dim  vistas  have  descended 
traditions  many  concerning  the  dusky  race  which 
formerly  inhabited  the  islands.  Th:'se  date  back  as 
far  as  the  17th  century,  when  the  Eries  or  Eric  (wild 
cat)  tribe  of  aborigines  still  existed.  The  history  of 
these  people  is  broken  and  imperfect.  At  the  period 
indicated,  however,  the  southern  shores  of  the  lake,  to- 
gether with  the  islands,  were  undoubtedly  the  favorite 
hunting  grounds,  and  formed  the  stage  where  were 
enacted  the  tragic  scenes  which  closed  the  drama,  and 
ended  the  career  of  a  fierce  and  war  loving  people.  The 
Eries  were  swept  out  of  existence  by  the  powerful  "Five 
Nations,"  forming  the  Iroquois,  but  they  left  their  name 
permanently  established,  the  name  that  now  designates 


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A  GEM  OF  HISTORIC  SETTFNG. 


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the  waters  of  Erie,  lake  of  the  "Wild  Cat."  Uncertain 
as  are  the  records  of  this  lost  tribe,  the  antiquarian  and 
historian  groping  amid  ruins  of  the  past,  finds,  never- 
theless, broken  bits  which  fit  into  their  iiistory.  No- 
table among  these  may  be  mentioned  "Inscription  Rock" 
at  Kelley's  Island,  said  to  be  the  most  extensive  and 
interesting  relic  of  its  kind  in  America. 

At  the  opening  of  the  present  century,  the  islands 
were  overrun  by  nomadic  tribes  which  have  been 
designated  as  "sojourners"  rather  than  dwellers,  rep- 
resenting the  Senecas,  Miamis,  Ottawas,  Shawnees, 
Potowotamies,  and  Wyandots;  the  latter  bein^r  the 
most  numerous.  Representatives  of  other  tribes, 
among  which  was  that  of  the  Mohawk,  sometimes 
visited  the  archipelago.  Though  supposed  to  have 
been  a  favorite  locality,  the  islands  wore  not  so  mucii 
the  territory  of  any  one  tribe  as  a  common  stamping 
ground  for  all.  They  came  and  went  in  a  manner 
similar  to  that  of  the  modern  summer  excursionists;  the 
attractions  of  Put-in-Bay  and  her  neighboring  isles,  as 
a  summer  resort  having  been  known  and  appreciated, 
evidently,  many  thousand  moons  before  the  pale  face 
came  to  know  them.  When  the  waters  were  fettered 
by  ice,  and  withering  blasts  swept  the  island  shores, 
the  Indians  are  supposed  to  have  retired  into  the  thick, 
deep  wilderness  of  the  mainland;  returning  however 
with  spring  flowers  and  sunshine  to  their  island 
haunts. 

The  romantic  element — so  instinctive  to  these 
children  of  nature  — must  have  run  rampant  amid  sur- 
roundings so  calculated  to  inspire  sentiment.  The 
dim  forests,  the   darkling    waters;  the  shifting  clouds 


10 


A  GEM  OF  HISTORIC  SETTING. 


and  night  shadows;  the  gathering  storm,  the  play  of 
lightning,  and  roll  of  thunder;  the  war  of  winds,  and 
rush  of  waves  all  these  things  were  invested  b}^  the 
savage  with  a  wierd  mysticism,  L^nd  looking  upon 
Nature  and  listening  to  her  myriad  voices,  wild  fantasies 
and  strange  beliefs  took  shape  wilhin  h's  brain. 

His  imagination 
peopled  with  super- 
natural beings  the 
caverned  rocks,  and 
witchery  dwelt  in  the 
falling  of  a  leaf,  or 
the  flash  of  a  sea- 
gull's wing. 

In  feudal  days  such 
as  existed  in  the  ar- 
chipelago  where 
paths  of  wandering 
tribes  so  frequently 
crossed,  occasions 
were  many  which 
gave  rise  to  tales  of 
love  and  jealousy,  of 
conquest  and  adven- 
ture. Thus  touched  by  the  subtle  hue  of  poetry,  and 
lomance  as  charming  and  as  real  as  that  which  has 
come  down  to  us  from  the  feudal  days  of  "mediaeval" 
Europe,  was  the  life  of  the  untamed  island  dweller. 

Antedating  the  period  of  Indian  supremacy ,  lived 
and  flourished  in  the  archipelago,  a  people  concerning 
whom  no  scrap  of  history  remains;  yet  in  the  earth, — 


A  ROCK-BOUND  SHORE. 


A  GEM  OF  HISTORIC  SETTING. 


11 


of 


las 
til" 


defying  still  the  wear  and  corr  osion  of  time — evidences 
of  former  occupancy  by  the  "Mound  Builders"  are 
found.  Mingling  heterogenously  in  the  same  earthy 
treasure  vault,  these  remains  are  often  confounded  with 
those  of  the  Indian;  the  practiced  antiquarian  alone 
being  able  to  assign  each  relic  a  place  in  the  catalogue 
of  antiquity. 

Relics  both  of  Indians  and  "Mound  Builders"  are 
numerous  at  Put-in-Bay.  Stone  implements  used  by 
the  latter  are  frequently  turned  up  by  plow  and  spade. 
Of  these  the  stone  ax  is  common.  It  is  ground  to  a 
sharp  even  edge.  Axes  have  been  found  of  a  size  so 
small  as  to  suggest  their  design  as  children's  toys,  or 
fo.  purposes  of  ornament  rather  than  for  use.  Stone 
pestles  supposed  to  have  been  used  for  the  pounding  of 
grain  are  abundant,  and  arrow  heads  of  white  and  blue 
flint  are  everywhere  found. 

A  rude  mausoleum  of  stone  slabs,  black  in  color, 
and  of  a  formation  unknown  on  the  islands,  was  dis- 
covered some  years  ago  directly  beneath  the  roots  of  a 
stump,  four  feet  in  diameter.  Within  the  mound  thus 
enclosed,  were  eight  human  skeletons,  one  of  which 
measured  over  seven  feet  in  height.  Evidently  "there 
were  giants  those  days."  Mow  long  these  relics  of 
mortality  had  reposed  in  their  sepulchre  of  stone  before 
the  tree  became  rooted  upon  it,  is  a  matter  of  conject- 
ure.    Other  mounds  of  a  similar  character  have  been 

unearthed. 

.  '  .         -'        -      ' 
In  the  c?iv€rns  of  tiie  island,  hi- man.  ^'cmains  have 

been  found,      hi  one  instance  r»  skeleton  was  'lisco-vered 
j\      '.  •  •   .  «  '    « 

in  a  position  indicating  that  tne  luckless  individual  rep- 


12 


A  GEM  OF  HISTORIC  SETTING. 


11' 


resented  had  become  wedded  between  the  rocks,  and 
had  thus  succumbed  to  death  by  inches. 

On  the  southern  shore  of  the  ishind,  near  the  gov- 
ernment hght-house  station,  is  a  fissure  in  the  limestone 
extending  to  a  considerable  depth  below  the  earths' 
surface  in  which  was  discovered  a  large  quantity  of 
human  bones. 

Stumbling  thus  among  the  sepulchres  of  van- 
ished races,  we  are  led  to  conclude  that  though  com- 
paratively new  to  the  modern  investigator,  the  isles 
of  Erie  are  as  ancient  in  buried  history,  perhaps,  as 
Egypt  itself. 

Though  ranging  as  third  in  size,  Put-in-Bay  has 
from  early  daysranked  first  in  importance  among  her 
sister  islands,  and  is  eminently  deserving  of  the  term — 
"Gem  of  Lake  Erie." 

In  consideration  of  its  position  as  the  most  southerly 
island  of  the  Bass  group,  geographers  hnve  in  a  gen- 
eral way  marked  it  on  maps  as  South  Bass.  It  was 
once  known  as  "Ross  Island."  As  to  the  origin  of  its 
present  name  there  is  a  division  of  opinion.  It  is  stated 
on  the  authority  of  a  historian,  that  Put-in-Bay  is  a 
corruption  of  "Pudding  Bay,"  an  appellation  given  it 
by  early  navigators.  A  restoration  of  the  old  name 
it  has  been  suggested,  might  be  advantageous  to  the 
many  summer  hotels  there  locaied.  Oihers  assert  that 
the  name  originated  from^the  fact,  that  prior  to  the 
battle  of  Lake  Eru,  the,  ships  of  Lhe  American  squadron 
piJ:  into  ti'e '.wide  and  ampje  bay  v  hi';h  indents  the 
shore,  \vhere  they  lay  fdi"  several  days'.  ^  The  latter 
theory  is  the  one  generally  accepted. 


»     f  •.   f  f  c     » 


A  GEM  OF  HISTORIC  SETTING. 


18 


VIEW  ON  THE  BAY. 


The  bay  from  which  the  island  derives  its  name  is 
a  sheet  of  water  enclosed  by  two  projections, "East  Point" 
to  the  eastward,  "  Peach  Point"  to  the  westward.  Its 
shores  are  encircled  by  stretches  of  gravel  beach,  or 
girt  by  rugged  and  picturesque  rock;  while  its  crystal 
depths  mirror  the  cloud  lights  and  shadows  which 
play  above  them.  Squaw  harbor,  forming  a  portion  of 
the  inner  bay,  is  a  beautiful  sheet  of  water. 

In  the  early  history  of  lake  navigation,  this  bay  was 
known  as  a  harbor  of  refuge;  and  while  yet  the  savage 
beached  his  canoe  upon  its  sands,  and  muttered  the 
strange  gutteral  of  his  tribe  before  the  camp  fire  red- 
deninij  its  shores,  the  white  man's  bark  cut  the  still 
waters  and  his  anchor  grappled  the  deeply  hidden 
rocks. 

The  first  vessel  that  ever  spread  canvas  on  Lake 
Erie,  we  are  told,  was  built  at  Fort  Frontiac  over  200 
years  ago  by  Robert  De  La  Salle,  a  Frenchman,  as 
the  name   indicates.     She   sailed  from    Green   Bay  in 


14 


A  GEM  OF  mSTOn/C  SETTING. 


I  'I 


Mi. 


iii: 


September,  1679,  having  on  board  a  band  ot  mission- 
aries, among  whom  was  Father  I^ewis  Hennisin.  This 
vessel — tradition  informs  us — cast  anchor  off  the  islands, 
and  inspired  by  its  beautiful  scenery,  the  missionaries 
landed  upon  one  of  them,  and  within  its  green  arched 
temple,  conducted  devotional  exercises.  These  men, 
it  is  said,  were  the  first  of  the  white  race  to  set  foot 
upon  the  archipelago. 

In  1766,  four  trading  vessels  which  plied  the  lakes 
frequently  cast  anchor  by  its  shores. 

Concerning  the  early  settlement  of  f^at-in-Bay,  his- 
torians are  divided.  Some  obscurity  evidently  exists, 
but  the  facts,  as  far  as  obtainable,  date  back  to  a  period 
shortly  before  the  war  of  1812.  At  that  date,  Put-in- 
Bay  together  with  North  and  Middle  Bass  islands 
became  the  property  of  Judge  Ogden  Edwards,  for- 
merly of  Connecticut ;  these  islands  being  included  in  the 
Western  Reserve  grants  to  people  of  that  state. 

About  the  year  1810  two  French  ."squatters  took 
possession  of  the  island.  These  adventurers  engaged 
mainly  in  hunting,  trapping  and  fishing.  Their  tran- 
quility, like  that  of  the  solitary  exile  of  Juan  Fernan- 
dez, was  frequently  disturbed  by  the  discovery  of 
"footprints  on  the  sand,"  there  indented  by  the  moc- 
casined  feet  of  hostile  red  men.  It  is  a  natural  pre- 
sumption that  these  men  felt  relieved  therefore  when 
they  were  reinforced  by  several  families  of  French 
Canadians.  An  individual,  Seth  Done,  agent  for  the 
Edwards  property,  also  located  on  this  island  with  a 
view  to  clearing  and  improving  it.  Done  employed  a 
number  of  laborers,  and  the  little  colony  thus  formed 
turned  attention  to  civilized  pursuits.    About  100  acres 


J 
■> 


m 


A  GEM  OF  HISTORIC  SETTING. 


16 


were  cleared  and  sown  to  wheat,  the  soil  proving  un- 
usually fertile,  and  the  first  wheat  crop  grown  was 
harvested  in  1812.  The  grain  had  all  been  stacked, 
and  the  colonists  were  engaged  in  threshing  it,  when 
thev  were  surprised  by  British  troops.  The  crop  was 
de^^troyed,  and  the  colony  driv^en  from  the  island.  In 
view  of  the  troublous  times,  2,000  bushels  of  wheat 
had  been  boated  across  to  the  peninsula  only  two  or 
three  days  previous  to  the  visitation  above  narrated 
and  st  red  for  safe  keeping  in  a  commodious  log  pen. 
This  pen  and  its  contents  were  likewise  destroyed  by 
British  and  Indians.  Thus  disastrously  ended  the  first 
settlement  of  Putin-Bay. 

After  the  war  intervened  a  period  in  which  the 
Bass  islands  almost  relapsed  into  their  former  prim- 
itive state.  Save  the  occasional  appearance  of  ad- 
venturers fiom  the  mainland,  or  of  sailors  from  vessels 
anchored  in  the  bay,  they  were  left  to  solitude.  Two 
individuals  are  recorvled  as  having,  in  the  course  of 
time,  made  brief  sojourns  there — "Shell"  Johnson  and 
one  Captain  Mill.  Little  thought  of  making  the  place 
an  abode  of  civilization  seemed  to  suggest  itself,  how- 
ever, up  to  the  year  1822.  About  that  time  A.  P. 
Edwards,  brother  of  Judge  Edwards — then  deceased — 
came  to  look  after  the  property,  to  the  control  or  own- 
ership of  which  he  had  succeeded. 

Landing  at  Put-in-Bay,  Mr.  Edwards  found  there 
a  single  squatter,  one  Ben  Napier,  a  French  Canadian, 
living  in  a  little  cabin  constructed  of  red  cedar  logs 
near  where  the  steamer  wharves  are  now  located.  Ben 
had  taken  full  possession  of  the  island,  and  evidently 
considered  himself  "monarch  of  all  he  surveyed."     He 


16 


A  Gf£Af  OF  HISTORIC  SETTING. 


vigorously  disputed  Edward's  right,  and  the  latter 
was  forced  to  visit  Norwalk  for  the  purpose  of  pro- 
curing papers  wherewith  to  estabHsh  his  claim,  the 
islands  being  under  the  control  of  that  judicial  center. 
Ben  was  Tmally  ousted,  and  retired  in  disgust  to  look 
for  another  "squatter's"  claim. 

The  work  of  opening  up  and  improving  the  island 
now  bej^nn.  A  numerous  band  of  laborers  were  trans- 
ported  thither,  and  the  first  movement  was  the  erec- 
tion of  a  building  to  serve  as  shop  and  warehouse;  to- 
gether with  a  commodious  frame  structure  intended 
both  as  a  residence  for  the  agent  appointed  to  super- 
intend operations  and  as  a  boarding  place  for  the  labor- 
ers. These  buildings  were  erected  in  1823  upon  the 
site  known  in  after  years  as  the  Put-in- Bay  House. 
This  dwelling  formed  for  many  years  the  center  of  at- 
traction and  crowning  glory  of  the  island.  Its  grounds 
v^'ere  pleasantly  laid  out,  and  basking  under  a  virgin 
coat  of  white-wash,  it  came  to  be  known  as  the 
"White  House."  It  was  successively  occupied  by 
agents  representing  the  Ef'-wards  estate,  chief  among 
whom  were  Pierpont,  McGibbons,  Scott  and  Van 
Rassaler.  McGibb^Jns  finally  rented  the  island,  pay- 
ing $500  in  cash.  Cord  wood  and  limestone  were 
thence  shipped  to  Cleveland  and  Erie.  No  direct  line 
of  vessels  connected  with  the  islands,  but  by  special 
agreement  with  the  captains  of  schooners  bound  up 
and  down  the  lake  they  were  signalled  in  by  shots 
fired  from  a  cannon  planted  on  shore  when  shipments 
awaited  transportation.  These  vessels  also  brought 
supplies  to  the  little  maritime  populace. 

The  only  facilities  afforded  for  reaching  the  main- 


\ 


i «, 


A  GEM  OF  HISTORIC  SETTIXG. 


17 


land  at  that  period  consistt'd  of  a  small  sloop — the  A. 
P.  Edwards— and  a  lar^e  boat  called  a  "Zig,"  rowed 
by  ten  men,  five  on  a  side,  something  after  the  fasliion 
of  an  ancient  galley.  J^iit  the  island  pioneers  grew 
amphibious  in  their  habits,  and  their  exploits  on  ice 
and  water  were  marvelous;  the  details  of  which  would 
supply  material  for  a   whole  series  of  "yellow  backs." 


Wjt-c««g 


A  PKiZE  WINNER. 


Wishing  to  dispose  of  his  island  possessions  as  a 
whole,  Edwards  declined  selling  a  foot  of  land  by  par- 
cel, refusing  even  a  location  for  a  government  light- 
house on  Put-in-Bay,  which  in  consequence  was  erected 
on  Green  Island.  As  a  result  of  Edward's  policy, 
the  islands  developed  slowly,  and  at  the  end  of  two  de- 
cades were  still  comparatively  wild  and  unsettled. 


18 


A  GE.n  OF  IfiSTOK/C  S. 


SETr//VG. 


"ES.O.NCE  Of  THE  O.0EST  «„,,„,„ 

.       '"  l«43  Pl.illip  Vrom.n,  the  oldest      '       ■    ■ 
«i«nt  of  the  phu-e  at  the  n,-  «"rv,v,n,u  res. 

above    described    and         1     ,f  ',     ^'"^  "^^''i"-'   House" 

'''-  'he  on,,   hahu':l;,^;^^-V  n^  ^■^""•"'^   »-- 
Bass  contained  eueh  a  sin,  I  "  '"'^  ""^'    ^"^««h 

Ja-^e  waters  swaged  .ifr'a  ^'  "'^"  "•'-  "- 
J-':  fox-  and  raccoon,  wa  ;„„J;:r"Tf'  "^  "■"^■'■ 
'".h,s   natural  state,    |,owever  "^  ■'^"'■'•'■'-■' 

•^-•-t  on  the  Bass  islands,  and  L  T  ""'"'   '"°"'"  '" 

excepting  occasional  herds  utr  "'"'  "^""  ■*^" 

I^-'-i.sland  and  the  m  ,"  '  r^'''" ''''^ '^■'^  f-'" 

P'-o'iric  crop,  and,.a ve   h      r   •    ''""'•'■"'^'^^■■^  --«  a 
The  woods  because    „ftd'^:J'p''^  --«•'  -"oyance. 


A    GEM  OF  HISTORIC  SETI/A'G. 


19 


subsistence  these  brutes  depended  upon  tlieir  own 
^rubbin^.  They  were  savage  creatures  and  llic  isl- 
anders were  some  times  treed  by  them.  VVh.'n  fresh 
meat  was  required  a  scpiad  of  mounted  men,  with  do<^s 
and  ^uns,  set  out  for  llic  purpose  of  hunting  tliem 
down,  and  the  sport  is  said  to  liave  been  very  excitinj^. 


BLACK  BASS  SHOALS. 


In  spring  and  early  summer  the  islands  formed  — 
as  thev  still  do — a  veritable  Edtn  of  bloom,  wild 
flowers  of  endless  variety  appearing  in  overwhelming 
abundance  and  intermingled  with  native  shrubbery, vines 
and  mosses  belting  and  overhanging,  in  a  manner  most 
picturesque  and  charming,  the  broken  shore  rocks.  This 
prodigality  of  nature  ma}'  be  more  fully  understood 
when  it  is  known  that  the  island  region  forms  the  meet- 
ing place — according  to  Prof,  G.  Frederick  Wright — 
of    several    botanical    provinces,    so   that    Canadian, 


» 


A  GEM  OF  HISTORIC  SETTING. 


\ 


Southern,  Atlantic  and  Rocky  mountain  species  are 
found  together  as  nowhere  else  on  the  continent. 

The  island  forests  were  literally  alive  with  wild 
songsters,  and  the  eagle  found  here  a  congenial  re- 
treat, making  the  tall  tree  tops  his  home. 

In  1S45  Gibr.iltar  Island  was  occupied  as  the  camp- 
ing ground  of  a  large  party  of  surveyors  and  engin- 
eers,  employed  by  the  government  in  making  charts 
and  maps  of  the  lake.  In  order  to  secure  an  unob- 
structed sight,  a  strip  forty  feet  in  wicMi,  running  the 
whole  lenfTth  of  the  island,  was  cut  throutrh  the  heavy 
timber  of  Put-in-Hay.  This  strip  afterwards  became 
the  main  island  thoroughfare,  and  is  slill  known  as  the 
"Sight  road."  Platforms  sevent3'-five  feet  high  were 
also  erected  at  various  points  on  the  shore  from  which 
observations  of  the  lake  were  taken. 

Long  before  she  had  made  her  debut  as  a  sum  r.er 
resort,  Put-in-Bay  had  won  many  ardent  admirers; 
and  in  1852  a  Fourth  of  July  celebration  formed  an  event 
such  as  the  island  had  never  before  witnessed.  The 
anniversary  coming  on  Sunday,  the  principal  doings 
were  deferred  until  the  following  day,  but  a  national 
religious  service  was  held  Sunday  afternoon  at  which 
the  first  sermon  ever  preached  on  Put-in-Bay  was  de- 
livered by  Rev.  Jewett  of  the  M .  E.  church,  San- 
dusky. Monday  came  with  a  memorable  blow-out. 
The  boom  of  cannon  awoke  the  echoes.  The  burial 
mound  where  rest  the  slain  of  Perry's  victory  was 
decorated  with  the  national  colors.  Military  companies 
from  various  points  throughout  the  state  participated, 
and  crowds  from  the  lake  towns  and  cities  arrived  by 
special  steamers.   Sandusky  grocers  had  erected  lunch 


A  GEM  OF  HISTORIC  SETTING. 


21 


stands  and  stocked  them  with  bountiful  supplies,  by 
means  of  which  the  hungry  multitudes  were  fed.  In- 
spiriting music  and  eloquent  oratory  awoke  an  entliu- 
siasm  which  reached  white  heat. 

In  1854  ^^^  islands,  comprising  the  Edwards  prop- 
erly, were  sold  entire  to  Riveri.i  De  San  Jargo,  a  Span- 
ish merchant  of  wealth  and  distinction  then  residing  in 
New  York  City.  Up  to  this  time,  but  a  single  frame 
house  had  been  erected  on  Put-in-Bay,  but  with  a 
change  of  proprietors,  its  prospects  brightened.  Con- 
tracts fur  buildings  were  issued  by  Riveria,  and  Miil- 
(lie  Bass  was  disposed  of  to  three  purchasers — VVm. 
Rchberg,  a  German  count,  Andrew  Wehrle,  and  a 
tjentleman  of  fortune  named  Caldwell. 

A  steamer,  the  "Islander",  began  making  trips  from 
Sandu  ky  to  Put-in-Bay.  Improvements  went  rapidly 
forward,  and  the  islands  as  a  body  enjoyed  that  which 
in  modern  limes  would  be  called  a  "boom."  Many 
visitors  now  began  crowding  toward  Put-in-Bay, 
drawn  thither  by  the  natural  and  historical  attractions 
of  the  place.  Among  the  number  was  J.  W.  Gray, 
then  editor  of  the  Cleveland  Plain  Dealer.  Realizing 
llie  need  of  suitable  hotel  accommodations,  Gray  pur- 
chased the  'White  House."  Changes  and  additions 
were  made,  and  ere  long  a  comfortable  hotel  opened 
its  doors.  The  island  was  now  becoming  famous  as  a 
summer  resort,  and  to  meet  the  ever  increasing  de- 
mand for  accommodation,  a  grand  summer  hotel  was 
projected,  built  and  christened — "The  Put-in-Bay 
House."  The  structure  was  450  feet  long.  Its  veran- 
dahs extended  the  whole  length  of  the  building  and 
commanded   a   magnificent    view    of    the    bay   near 


It 

!  ] 
)  5 


22 


A  GEM  OF  HISTORIC  SETTING. 


M 


OLD  PUT-IN-BAY  HOUSE, 


which  the  hotel  was  located.  The  Beebe  house, 
a  commodious  structure,  was  erected  on  the  site  of  an 
old  building  known  as  the  "Perry  House."  The  Beebe 
house  was  owned  and  is  still  operated  by  Henry 
Beebe,  the  oldest  hotel  man  in  the  state.  Other  hotels 
rapidl}'  sprung  up,  and  owners  of  real  estate  in  sizable 
tracts  suddenly  found  themselves  wealthy.  Not  only 
had  the  place  become  an  attraction  to  tourists  and 
visitors  in  general,  but  the  peculiar  adaptability  of  the 
soil  rendered  grape  culture  a  prolific  source  of  gain; 
and  Put-in-Bay  and  adjacent  isles  were  soon  covered 
with  thrifty  vineyards. 

The  Put-in-Bay  house  was  subsequently  destroyed 
by  fire,  but  was  afierwards  rebuilt  on  a  smaller  scale 
by  Valentine  Doller. 

In  size  and  magnili  :ence,  however,  the  old  Put-in- 
Bay  house  was  linally  eclipsed  by  the  erection  on  Vic- 
tory Bay  of  Hotel  Victory,  which  enjoys  the  distinc- 
tion of  being  the  largest  and  most  luxuriously  appointed 
summer  hotel  in  the  United  States. 

Such  in  brief  is  the  history  of  a  summer  resort. 


PERRY'S  VICTORY 

In  the  Light  of  Local  Reminiscence. 


"As  bears  the  noble  consort  slo'vly  down, 
Portentous  now  her  teemin>5  cannon  frown; 
List  to  tlie  volleys  that  incessant  break 
The  ancient  silence  of  this  border  hike." 

"While  Erie's  currents  Lave  her  winding  shore, 
Or  down  the  crags  her  rushing  torrents  pour, 
While  rioats  Columbia's  standard  to  the  breeze, 
No  blight  shall  wither  hiurels  such  as  these." 

—  Uakpkks  Magazine 

"Tlie    chief    products   of   Put-in" 
^  Uay    are    Tisli,     flirtatious,    limestone 
md  i^erry's  victory." 

Thus     facetiouslv     comments   an 
observer  after   duly  sizing  U[)  the  isl- 
Oiiver  Hazard  Perry,      aiid    iu    qufstioH.      The    hitter    com- 
modity is  especially  abundant  as  may  be  divined  from 
the  fact  that  it  forms  the   primary  consideration  of  al- 
most  every   visitor  of   intelliirtirice    who    for   the   tiist 
time   sets   foot   upon    this   histoiic   bit   of   terra   tirma. 
Among  the  crowds  which  annually  visit  the  resort  are 
tourists    from    New    England,    from   the   land  of   the 
orange  and  palmetto,  from  the  isles  of  Britain  and  from 
Continental  Europe.     As  a  rule,  the  farther  traveled, 
the  deeper  the  interest  exhibited  by  travelers  in  a  con- 
templation of  the  scene  where  occurred  the  great  naval 
contest  which  swept  from  American  waters  the  Cross 


II 


I 


ft^i-l!    ' 


hi: 


i 


'i 


24 


PERRY'S  VICTORY. 


of  St.  George,  and  demonstrated  the  invalidity  of  Eng- 
land's pretentions  to  being  "mistress  of  the  seas" — a 
supremacy  long  the  boast  of  this  most  invincible  of 
old  world  powers. 

On  almost  any  favorable  day  during  the  "guest 
season"  many  loiterers  may  be  observed  near  the 
"lone  willow" — beneath  which  lie  the  slain  of  Perry's 
victory — leaning  over  the  post  and  chain  fence  that 
encircles  it,  or  resting  on  the  lawn  adj.icent,  evi- 
dently lost  in  retrospective  cogitations.  They  have 
many  questions  to  ask  of  the  islanders  whom  they 
meet  concerning  points  of  history  —local  and  general  — 
bearing  upon  events  associated  with  the  spot,  and  are 
sometimes  as  easily  gulled  by  the  romaucist  as  are 
travelers  in  the  holy  land  by  the  relic  vender.  The 
burial  mound,  which  thus  forms  a  point  of  general  in- 
terest, is  located  on  a  level  sweep  of  greensward,  a 
few  rods  from  the  bay  shore,  midway  between  the  two 
wharves  at  which  incoming  steamers  land  their  pas- 
sengers. This  spot  was  denuded  of  timber  before  the 
war  of  i8[2,  and  save  the  old  willow  contains  only  a 
few  second  growth  trees. 

In  consideration  of  its  isolated  position,  it  became 
known  as  the  "lone  willow" — an  appellation  given  it 
by  early  settlers,  and  which  it  still  retains.  Its 
story  as  told  by  these  pioneer  dwellers  runs  as  follows: 

A  few  days  succeeding  the  surrender  of  Barkley's 
fleet,  a  vessel  hailing  from  the  settlement  now  marked 
by  the  town  of  Vermillion,  arrived  laden  with  supplies 
for  the  x\merican  squadron.  While  anchored  offshore, 
the  master  of  this  vessel  visited  the  island,  where  were 
interred  the  slain  officers  of  both  fleets.     In  his  hand 


y  of  Eng- 
seas" — a 
ncible  of 


^  "guest 
ear   the 

Perry's 
ice  that 
It,  evi- 
*y  have 
n  they 
neral  — 
and  are 

as  are 
The 
sral  in- 
vard,  a 
he  two 
ir  pas- 
»re  the 
only  a 


ecame 

ven  it 

i.     Its 

Hows: 

k  ley's 

irked 

oplies 

hore, 

were 

hand 


I  .' 


)   \ 


I    i 


Q 
<: 

Llj 

Q 

> 
DC 

I— 
U 


> 

cr. 

(X 


O 


cr. 

m 


!    t  , 


Q 

<: 


p 

r- 
U 


a: 
cc 


LU 

I 
h- 

o 


en 


ri  ■  t-s 

lie  carried  a  walkin^^  slick  cut  from  a  green  willow. 
The  earth  which  rounded  the  lonely  graves  was  still 
fresh,  and  into  the  yielding  surface  he  imbedded  the 
shoot.  It  became  rooted  and  grew  into  the  goodly 
tree  which  now  marks  the  place. 

This  story  is  well  authenticated,  many  of  the  old 
residents  having  seen  and  conversed  with  the  man  who 
planted  the  willow  shoot,  and  who  in  subsequent  years 
visited  the  island.  Within  a  comparatively  recent 
period  the  tree  was  encircled  by  the  above  mentioned 
post  and  chain  fence  which  encloses  and  renders  con- 
spicuous the  otherwise  neglected  spot.  The  tree  has 
grown  to  stately  proportions,  but  its  trunk  is  becom- 
ing gnarled,  and  its  yellow  twigs  and  clustering  leaves 
are  oftimes  broken  bv  the  hands  of  str  miners  and 
carried  away  as  mementoes.  Two  or  three  round, 
white  boulders  lie  partially  imbedded  in  the  sod  at  its 
roots — the  only  monumental  stones  the  enclosure  con- 
tains; whether  originally  placed  there  by  Perry  and 
his  men,  is  a  matter  concerning  which  the  present  in- 
habitants seem  devoid  of  knowled^re. 

There  are  persons  still  living  on  Put-in-Iiay  who 
remember  seeing  the  remains  of  an  old  scaffold  cap- 
ping a  wall  of  rugged  and  precipitous  rock  near  the 
"Needle's  Eye,''  Gibraltar  Island.  From  this  com- 
manding station  Commodore  Perry  and  his  officers 
daily  and  hourly  reconnoitered  the  lake,  sweeping  with 
their  marine  glasses  the  horizon  to  west  and  north- 
west for  the  first  topsail  of  the  British  squadron,  the 
appearance  of  which  was  to  be  the  signal  for  action. 
A  grass-grown  path  leading  to  this  point  of  rocks 
from  the  opposite  side  of  the  island  off  which  lay  at 


i  i 


l\  -  .' 


'I 


) 


I 


26 


PERRY'S  VICTORY. 


anchor  the  American  fleet,  is  also  remembered  by 
early  pioneers.  The  scaffold  long  since  disappeared, 
but  the  spot  upon  which  it  stood  is  now  commonly 
known  as  "Perry's  lookout."  It  is  marked  by  a  flag- 
staff, and  the  neighboring  scenery,  as  viewed  from  this 
eminence,  is  the  most  rugged,  picturesque  and  ro- 
mantic known  in  the  archipelago. 

Near  "Perry's  Lookout,"  on  Gibraltar,  is  placed  a 
monument  intended  to  commemorate  the  battle  of 
Lake  Erie.  It  was  dei^igned  and  erected  by  Jay 
Cooke,  the  well  known  Philadelphia  financier  and 
present  owner  of  the  island. 

Within  the  entrance  hall  of  Mr.  Cooke's  stately 
summer  villa — which  occupies  a  central  location  on 
Gibraltar — hangs  an  old  painting  representing  the 
scene  of  this  famous  engagement. 

Several  years  ago  a  transportation  vessel  lost  her 
anchor,  and  while  grappling  for  it,  her  crew  hauled  up, 
not  that  for  which  they  were  looking,  but  an  old 
wooden  stock  anchor,  such  as  were  used  by  navigators 
in  early  days.  The  wood  had  rotted  away,  and  the 
iron  was  deeply  corroded  with  rust.  This  anchor  is 
said  to  have  been  lost  from  one  of  the  ships  of  Perry's 
squadron.  Other  interesting  relics  of  the  troublous 
times  of  i8 12-13,  and  of  Perry's  visit  to  Put  in-Bay, 
have  been  found  at  various  times  and  in  divers  places. 
Arms  and  military  accoutrements  bearing  the  United 
States  brand  have  been  picked  up,  of  which  the  wood 
portions  were  rotted  away  and  the  iron  deeply  rust- 
eaten. 

On  Peach  Point,  which  overlooks  the  battle  scene, 
was  found  a  cannon  ball  imbedded  in  a  mass  of  rock 


|i  1      *     » 


PERRY'S  VICTORY. 


27 


Dered  by 
ippeared, 
Dmmonly 
>y  a  fla^- 
from  this 
and  re- 
placed a 
Dattle    of 

by    Jay 
cier    and 

s  stately 
ation  on 
iting  the 

lost  her 
uled  up, 
an   old 
igators 
and  the 
chor  is 
Perry's 
•ublous 
n-Bay, 
places, 
nited 
wood 
rust- 

I  scene, 
If  rock 


and  debris.  The  ball  corresponded  in  size  and  weight 
with  those  used  for  the  naval  cannon  of  early  days. 
This  relic  came  ultimately  into  the  possession  of  Jay 
Cooke,  by  whom  it  is  highly  prized. 

For  an  indefinite  period  of  years  an  old  dismounted 
cannon  figured  conspicuously  in  the  history  of  Put-in- 
Bay.  This  piece  of  ordnance — it  is  asserted — belonged 
to  one  of  Perry's  ships,  and  was  left  on  the  island  after 
the  fight  in  a  disabled  condition.  The  piece  was  re- 
cently sold  to  the  town  of  Port  Clinton.  The  citizens 
of  that  borough  feel  proud  of  their  acquisition,  fondly 
cherishing  the  relic  and  bringing  it  forth  with  great 
eclat  and  profuse  decorations  whenever  a  street  pa- 
rade or  public  jollification  is  given. 

The  anniversary  of  the  BaUle  of  Lake  Erie,  Sep- 
tember loth,  is  recognized  at  Put-in -Bay  as  a  holiday 
of  an  importance  as  great  as  that  which  attaches  lo 
the  Fourth  of  July  in  other  portions  of  the  country- 
Whether  any  public  celebration  is  or  is  not  held  on  the 
island,  the  average  islander  suspends  his  daily  occupa- 
tions with  the  advent  of  the  "tenth,"  and  donning  his 
best,  repairs  to  the  "Bay,"  where  he  aims  to  get  out 
of  the  occasion  all  the  glory  there  is  in  it.  The  res- 
idents of  adjacent  islands  are  accustomed  also  to  gather 
at  this  common  center,  crossing  in  skiffs,  yachts  and 
sail  boats. 

If  no  special  features  of  interest  are  afforded,  a 
meeting  with  neighbors  and  friends  in  the  Bay  park,  a 
dish  of  ice  cream  at  the  restaurant,  a  glass  of  lager  or 
perchance  of  something  stronger  serves  to  round  out 
the  day,  and  in  the  evening  the  islander  goes  home 
with  a  serene  sense  of  duty  done. 


:>8 


PERR  Y'S  I ICTOR  Y. 


ll 


! 
\       V 

1    il 

'■     i 
*    il 


However,  inc  advent  of  this  anniversary  rarely 
fails  to  bring  crowds  by  every  steamer  from  lakeport 
towns  and  cities,  and  often  from  points  far  inland.  So- 
cieties civic  and  military  frequently  parade  the  thor- 
oughfares, bands  discourse  martial  music,  yards  of 
bunting  stream  from  public  buildings;  and  inspired  by 
the  occasion,  speeches  full  of  fire  and  frenzy  are  pro- 
jected by  orators  of  every  degree.  Then,  too,  the 
"lone  willow"  is  wreathed,  ribboned,  flagged  and 
flowered  in  the  most  approved  manner.  On  one  of 
these  occasions  a  large  and  handsome  portrait  of  Perry 
garlanded  with  exquisite  floral  decorations,  and 
knots  of  red,  white  and  blue  ribbon,  was  suspended 
against  the  tree.  Directly  beneath  lettered  in  black  on 
a  white  ground  appeared  the  words  of  thit  brief  but 
significent  dispatch,  penned  by  the  hero  to  Gen.  Har- 
rison— "We  have  met  the  enemy  and  they  are  ours  " 
At  the  tree  roots  lay  the  rusty  anchor — that  had  been 
fished  from  the  bay — twined  with  evergreen,  and  its 
chain  clasped  about  the  trunk.  Upon  each  post  hung 
an  evergreen  wreath  and  fluttered  a  flag,  forming 
about  the  mound  a  blight  circle  of  color. 

One  of  the  most  notable  anniversaries  of  the  battle 
ever  held  at  Put-in-Bay,  occurred  somewhere  back  in 
the  "fifties."  On  this  occasion,  over  15,000  people  were 
in  attendance,  and  so  many  steamers  arrived  that 
scarcely  room  enough  was  afforded  at  the  wharves  to 
land  their  passengers.  In  anticipation  of  the  crowd, 
bakers  and  restaurant  keepers  from  adjacent  mainland 
towns  had  put  up  temporary  lunch  counters  and  eating 
stands,  and  did  a  rushing   business. 

There    were  present   at   this   anniversary   nearly 


PERRY'S  VICTORY. 


20 


ry  rarely 
lakeport 
ind.  So- 
the  thor- 
yards  of 
pired  by 
are  pro- 
too,  the 
^ed    and 

one  of 
of  Perry 
)ns,  and 
spended 
black  on 
jrief  but 
in.  Har- 
e  ours  " 
ad  been 

and  its 
St  hung 
forming 

e  battle 
jack  in 
e  were 
d  that 
rves  to 
crowd, 
ainland 
eating 

nearly 


sixty  survivors  of  the  battle,  amon;;  whom  was  Ciipt. 
Elliott,  who  commanded  the  ship  Niagara,  which  after 
the  Lawrence  became  disabled,  was  boarded  by  Perry 
and  made  flagship  of  the  squadron. 

A  thrilling  address  was  dehvercd  by  Capt.  Elhott 
in  the  grounds  of  the  "While  1  louse."  An  old  resident 
of  the  island,  Phillip  Vroman,  who  was  present,  des- 
cribes the  speaker,  as  he  then  appeared,  as  a  grey 
bearded,  but  well  preserved  man  of  medium  height, 
slender  build,  and  intelligent  countenance. 

Gen.  Harrison  who  figures  prominently  in  history, 
both  civic  and  military,  was  among  the  speakers;  also 
Gov.  Cass  of  Michigan,  together  with  many  other 
noted  scholars  and  statesmen. 

An  incident  which  occurred  in  connection  with  this 
particular  celebration  is  related  by  Mr,  Vroman.  He 
was  standing  near  the  old  burial  mound  when  he  ob- 
served in  the  crowd  about  him  a  man  of  worn  and 
grizzled  appearance,  with  head  inclined,  and  the  tears 
coursing  slowly  down  his  cheeks.  Mr.  Vroman  kind- 
ly inquired  as  to  the  cause  of  his  grief.  The  man 
lifted  his  head  and,  pointing  to  the  mound,  said: 

"Here  lie  my  comrades.  Forty  five  years  ago  to- 
day we  gathered  at  this  spot  to  perform  for  them  our 
last  services.  Since  then  I  have  not  seen  the  place 
until  now.  Gazing  once  more  upon  it  under  circum- 
stances so  solemn  and  impressive  brings  back  upon 
me  an  overpowering  flood  of  recollections." 

In  repty  to  inquiries,  the  old  man  gave  some  per- 
sonal experiences  of  the  battle,  as  follows : 

"I  was  with  a  large  detachment  of  our  men  on  the 
little  rock  island  k^  own  as  Gibraltar,  when    Barkley's 


< 


1 


I  , 


w 


:i 


30 


PERRY'S  VICTORY. 


fleet  w«is  sighted  approaching  from  the  northwest. 
We  lost  no  time  in  getting  back  to  our  vessels  which 
were  idly  swinging  at  anchor.  Orders  from  command- 
ing ofllcers  were  given,  quick  and  sharp.  There  was 
a  bustle  of  hasty  preparation  heard,  a  great  straining 
of  blocks  and  cordage,  and  a  flap  of  canvas  as  the  sails 
were  unfurled.  Our  fleet  passed  out  of  the  bay  be- 
tween Peach  Point  and  Middle  I^ass  Island.  The 
moining  was  as  beautiful  as  any  that  I  have  ever  seen. 
When  about  five  miles  north  of  Put-in-Bay,  we  en- 
countered the  British  squadron." 

After  giving  a  description  of  the  light,  the  narrator 
closed  with  an  account  of  the  burial  of  the  dead  at 
Put-in-Bay.  According  to  his  statement,  six  officers — 
three  Americans  and  three  British,  were  buried  on  the 
site  marked  by  the  willow;  the  sailors  and  marines,  on 
a  beautiful  treeless  knoll  near  "Squaw' Harbor." 

Some  historians  tell  us  that  the  latter  were  sunk  in 
the  lake  by  means  of  a  cannon  ball  attached  to  the  feet 
of  each.  This,  however,  must  be  erroneous,  as  other 
testimony  to  the  effect  that  they  were  buried  on  the 
island  exists  besides  that  of  the  old  marine  above 
mentioned. 

Had  the  fleet  been  sailing  the  high  seas  instead  of 
lying  in  a  quiet  harbor,  a  disposition  of  the  dead  by 
committal  to  th«^  waves  might  appear  more  reasonable. 
The  spot  pointed  out  as  the  burial  ground  in  question 
was  afterwards  used  by  the  early  settlers  as  a  place 
of  interment,  and  in  excavating,  human  bones  were 
unearthed.  Nearly  all  the  remains  of  island  settlers 
were  subsequently  removed  to  the  present  island  cem- 
etery.    Greensward   and  vineyard   sweep  cover    the 


PERRY'S  VICTORY 


81 


orthwest. 
tls  which 
ommand- 
'here  was 
straining 
the  sails 
bay  be- 
\.  The 
ver  seen. 
,  we  en- 

narrutor 
dead  at 
officers — 
d  on  the 
fines,  on 

sunk  in 
the  feet 
as  other 
on  the 
above 

tead  of 
ead  by 
onable. 
uestion 
place 
were 
ettlers 
i  cem- 
r    the 


site  of  the  old  burial  ground  at  the  present  day,  and 
nothing  is  now  left  upon  its  surface  to  suggest  that  it 
was  ever  used  as  such. 

Another  point  upon  which  historians  differ  is  in 
reference  to  the  exact  location  of  the  battle,  its  distance 
from  Put-in- iJay  ranging,  according  to  several  accounts, 
all  the  way  from  two  to  ten  miles.  Since,  however,  no 
measurements  were  ever  taken  by  the  participants,  the 
exact  distance  in  linear  miles  will  probably  never  be 
known. 

There  are  aged  persons  still  living  who  remember 
havintr  heard  the  cannon  at  the  Battle  of  Lake  Erie. 
E.  W.  Barnum  of  Cleveland,  who  attended  a  recent 
loth  of  September  celebration  at  Put-in-Bay,  saw, 
when  a  boy  of  twelve  years,  the  British  fleet,  before  its 
engagement  with  Perry,  lying  at  King's  Quay,  Ft. 
Maiden.  He  was  also  on  board  the  Queen  Charlotte 
before  her  capture,  and  saw  the  identical  cannon  which 
has  frowned  for  so  many  years  upon  passersby  in 
Monumental  Park,  Cleveland. 

At  various  times  for  years  past,  efforts  have  been 
made  to  secure  the  erection  of  an  appropriate  Monu- 
ment at  Put-in-Bay,  intended  both  to  commemorate 
this  great  naval  achievement,  and  also  to  mark  the 
burial  place  of  the  slain,  but  up  to  the  present  time  all 
enterprises  in  this  direction  have  met  with  signal 
failure. 

Many  years  ago  a  fund  for  the  erection  of  a  monu- 
ment to  Oliver  Hazard  Perry  was  largely  contributed 
to  by  island  residents  with  the  understanding  that  it 
was  to  be  located  at  Put-in-Bay.     Photographs  of  the 


32 


/7:VvVv']".s  r/r/ORv. 


PERRY'S   LONE  WILLOW, 


'iji 


"Lone  Willow"  were  eirculated  and  sold  in  lari^e 
quantities,  and  the  proceeds  donated  to  this  fund.  In 
due  time  the  moniuncnt  took  shape,  and'  proved  a  suc- 
cess, bein<jr  an  elaborately  designed  and  exquisitely  exe- 
cuted piece  of  sculpture,  surmounted  by  a  life-like  statue 
of  Commodore  Perry.  Instead  of  being  erected  at  Put- 
in-Bay, however,  it  was  placed  in   Monumental   Park? 


PERRV'S  VICTORY. 


88 


d.  In 
a  isuc- 
y  cw-e- 
staiue 
It  Put- 
Park, 


•i 


Clevc'larul,  where  beside  the  old  British  cannon  men- 
tioned in  tills  concction  it  formed  for  many  years  an 
objtM  of  interest  and  admiration  to  the  thousands  who 
dail  thr()n;,a'd  the  paved  thoroujijhfares  near  which  it 
stood.  It  was  afterwards  removed  to  Wade  Park, 
wliere  it  will  no  doubt  remain  till  time  shall  crumble  it. 


MONUMENT  COMMEMORATING  THE  BATTLE  OF  LAKE  ERIE-GIBRALTAR. 


i  'I. 


i|! 


m 


''1! 


il! 

i'il 


» 


84 


P£/!i: V 'S  VICTORY, 


On  September  loth,  1891,  the  Maumee  Valley 
Monumental  Association,  with  President  Rutherford 
B.  Hayes  at  its  head,  held  a  meeting  at  Put-in-Bay, 
Cassius  M.  Clay,  of  Kentucky,  and  other  men  of  promi- 
nence being  present.  At  this  meeting  the  Perry  monu- 
ment question  was  again  agitated.  As  a  result  of  this, 
and  various  other  movements,  a  congressional  appro- 
priation was  solicited;  and  ever  since,  the  congressional 
body  have  been  considering  the  expediency  of  granting 
the  same.  Meantimo,  Rhode  Island —Commodore 
Perry's  native  state  —  has  stepped  to  the  front,  and  pro- 
poses undertaking,  on  her  own  account,  the  building  of 
a  monument  at  Put-in-Bay ,  and  the  islanders  are  pray- 
ing that  "  Little  Rhody's  "  good  resolution  may  not 
fail  until  her  task  is  accomplished. 


_A 


Valley 
therford 
-in-Bay, 
f  promi- 
y  monu- 
t  of  this, 
i  appro- 
essional 
granting 
imodore 
md  pro- 
Iding  of 
•e  pray- 
may  r?ot 


PUT-IN-BAY  IN  SONG  AND  POETRY. 


EVENING  ON  THE  WATER. 

"Did  you  ever  behold  a  more  lovely  scene?" 

"Never  !  It  is  superlatively  beautiful.  It  is 
glorious  !" 

The  subject  of  discussion  was  a  brilliant  sunset 
viewed  from  a  rocky  projection.  The  interrogator  an 
enthusiast  who  had  never  travelled  far;  the  individual 
addressed,  an  enthusiast  who  had  travelled  extensively 
and  viewed  scenes  and  objects  of  famed  attraction, 
but  only  to  return  to  his  own  country,  and  there  to  dis- 
cover among  the  isles  of  Lake  Erie  the  acme  of  all 


1 1 


I 


'if 

'  i  I 


11! 


i;ti 


86 


PUT! NBA  YIN  SONG  AND  POETRY. 


artistic  inspiration  and  poetic  sentiment  shown  up  in 
one  jrrand  masterpiece.  In  its  contemplation  he  grew 
ecstatic,  and  straightway  exhausted  the  whole  vocab- 
ulary of  adjectives  and  terms  synonymous  expressive 
of  higheit  and  mightiest  appreciation;  but  nothing 
could  be  too  extravagant  in  the  way  of  word  garniture 
for  such  a  scene.  The  Master  Painter  seemed  indeed 
to  have  thrown  into  this  stupendous  effort  the  full 
power  of  creative  genius.  Such  delicate  pencillings; 
such  exquisite  shadings;  such  clearness  of  outline  in 
the  foreground;  such  tilms  of  haze  and  flecks  of  cloud 
in  the  (^stances;  such  combinations  of  color;  such  fan- 
tastic play  of  lights  on  wave  and  sky;  such  a  glorious 
reincarnation  of  beauty  as  a   whole. 

A  breeze  with  breath  of  balm,  just  rippling  the 
channel  waters.  A  murmur,  just  audible,  of  wavelets 
among  caverned  rocks.  Ledges  abrupt  and  crags 
overhung  by  riot-running  vegetation.  Cedar  clumps 
abristle  and  maples  thick  leaved  scumbletl  with  golden 
bronze.  To  westward,  the  sun's  divergent  path;  and 
far  and  near  winged  sails  c  itching  the  crimson  glow  of 
the  dying  day.  Such  in  outline  is  the  sketch  of  an 
island  sunset;  and  afloat  upon  a  luminous  sea  of  in- 
spiration, poetic  fancy  awakens  to  "stir  of  waves  and 
dip  of  oars." 

"O,  boatman,  row  me  gently,  slow, 
Into  the  golden  sunset  glow 
That  crowns  the  >  ying  day; 
Out  where  the  white  cloud  islands  lie, 
In  the  ciimson  sea  of  the  western  sky, 
Row  me  away,  away." 


)wn  up  in 
he  j^rew 

le  vocab- 

xpressive 
nothing 

garniture 

ed  indeed 
the  full 

ncillings; 

Dutline  in 
of  cloud 

5uch  fan- 
glorious 

pling  the 
wavelets 
id    crags 

clumps 
1  golden 
ath;  and 

glow  of 
ch  of  an 
a  of  in- 
ives  and 


P UTIN-BA  V IN  SONG  A  ND  POE TK  Y.  37 

"Purple  and  carmine  and  amethyst, 
Waves  that  touching  the  sky  unkissed, 
Leave  aluminous  trail; 
Across  it  floating  a  graceful  thing; 
Is  it  a  bird  with  a  shining  wing, 
Or  a  tiny  glistening  sail?" 

However,  not  alone  in  sunset  glories  revels  the 
poet,  the  artist  and  the  creator  of  symphonious  meas- 
ures, since  throughout  the  whole  panoramic  progress 
of  the  seasons,  the  sliifting  views  on  lake  and  land,  and 


A   S'JMMLR    SHORE. 


Geo,  Kerry^  Pitt'in-Bay. 


the  harmonious  blendings  of  life  and  color  contribute 
to  kindle  and  keep  aflame  the  aesthetic  fires.  With  the 
"month  of  roses"  is  attained  the  climax  of  inspirational 
fervor;  when  skies  are  bluest  and  nature  at  her  best; 
when  dreamer  and  castle  builder  are  busiest  weaving 
garlands  of  fancy  and  rearing  architectural  marvels, 
towered  and  turretted  and  aglow  with  "a  light  that 
never  was  on  land  or  sea." 


¥M 


sd 


PUT-IN-BA  V  m SONG  AND  POE  TR K 


I.H 


Had  our  widely  renowned  American  poets — Long- 
fellow and  Whittier — spent  as  large  a  share  of  their 
natural  lives  at  Put-in-Bay  as  along  the  New  England 
coast ,  every  crook  of  the  island  shores ,  every  wave- 
worn  rock  and  mirrored  crag  that  girds  them ,  every 
quiet  cove  and  dimpling  bay  which  indents  them 
would  have  been  invested  with  the  charm  of  romance, 
subtle  and  irresistable;  for  the  natural  beauty  and  his- 
toric interest  attaching  thereto  would  have  called 
forth  the  noblest  efforts  of  those  gifted  writers. 

Howbeit,  the  island  and  its  attractions,  natural 
and  historical,  have  not  been  overlooked;  since  im- 
mediately following  the  battle  of  Lake  Erie  in  1813, 
poets  of  every  degree,  from  fledgling  versifiers  to 
hoary-headed  bards  all  over  the  country,  turned  their 
attention  towards  it,  eager  to  immortalize  in  verse  the 
gallantry  of  Oliver  Hazard  Peiry  and  the  scene  that 
witnessed  his  brilliant  achievements.  Books  published 
shortly  after  the  period  above  mentioned,  containing 
poems  describing  the  event,  are  still  found  in  old 
collections. 

Ablaze  with  fiery  patriotism  are  these  quaint  ef- 
fusions, though  not  always  true  to  topographical  detail 
— a  matter  which  excites  no  surprise  when  it  is  con- 
sidered that  most  of  them  were  written  at  long  range, 
imagination  supplying  material  where  facts  were 
wanting. 

A  song,  said  to  have  been  widely  popular  eighty 
years  ago,  is  still  known  and  sung  by  elderly  people. 
Though  not  an  example  of  perfect  metrical  composi- 
tion, its  long  survival  entitles  it  to  notice  in  this  con- 
nection.    The  words  are  as  follows: 


i  m 


P UT-iN-BA  Y  IN  SONG  AND  POE TR  Y. 


80 


— Long- 
of  their 
England 
y  "w ave- 
rt ,  every 
ts  them 
omance, 
and  his- 
e   called 

natural 
ince  im- 
in  1813, 
ifiers  to 
led  their 
erse  the 
ene  that 
jlished 
aining 
in  old 

aint  ef- 
detail 
IS  con- 
range, 
were 

eighty 
Deople. 
mposi- 
s  con- 


"Ye  tars  of  Columbia,  give  ear  to  my  story, 

Who  fought  with  brave  Perry  where  cannon  did  roar; 
Your  valor  has  won  you  an  immortal  glory, 
A  fame  that  shall  last  until  time  is  no  more. 

"Columbian  tars  are  the  true  sons  of  Mars, 

1  hey  rake  fore  and  aft  when  they  fight  on  the  deep; 
On  the  bed  of  Lake  Erie,  commanded  by  Perry, 
They  caused  many  a  Briton  to  take  his  last  sleep. 

"On  the  tenth  of  September,  let  all  well  remember, 

As  long  as  the  world  on  its  axis  roils  round, 
Our  tars  and  marines  on  Lake  Erie  were  seen. 
To  make  the  red  flag  of  proud  Britain  haul  down. 

•'The  van  of  our  fleet,  the  British  to  meet, 

Commanded  by  Perry,  the  Lawrence  bore  down, 
The  guns  they  did  roar  with  such  terrible  power, 
The  savages  trembled  at  the  horrible  sound. 

"The  Lawrence  was  shattered,  her  rigging  was  tattered. 
Her  booms  and  her  yards  were  all  shot  away; 
And  few  men  on  deck,  to  manage  the  wreck, 
Our  hero  on  board,  could  no  longer  stay. 

"In  this  situation,  the  pride  of  our  nation, 

Sure  heaven  had  guarded  unhurt  all  the  while; 
While  many  a  hero  maintaining  his  station, 
Fell  close  by  his  side  and  was  thrown  on  the  pile. 

"But  mark  ye  and  wonder,  when  the  elements  thunder, 
And  death  and  destruction  are  stalking  around; 

His  flag  he  did  carry,  on  board  the  Niagara, 
Such  valor  on  record  was  never  yet  found. 

"There  was  one  noble  act  of  our  gallant  commander. 
While  writing  my  song,  I  must  notice  with  pride; 
When  launched  in  a  smack,  which  carried  his  standard, 
A  ball  whistled  through  her,  just  at  his  side. 

"Says  Perry— 'Those  villains  intend  for  to  drown  us, 

Push  on  my  brave  boys,  you  need  never  fear; ' 
And  then  with  his  coat,  he  plugged  up  the  boat, 
And  through  sulphur  and  fire  away  L.*  did  steer. 


I '  ^ 


ill? 


ht\t 


*  i 


i 


1i 


.i.; 


I  '111 


40  PUT-IA-BA  Y  I^ '  SONG  AND  POE TR  K 

"The  famous  Niagara,  now  proud  of  her  Perry, 
Displayed  all  her  colors  in  gallant  array; 
And  twenty-five  guns  on  her  deck  she  did  carry, 
Which  soon  put  an  end  to  the  bloody  affray. 

"The  bold  British  lion  now  roared  his  last  thunder, 
While  Perry  attended  him  close  in  the  rear; 
Columbia's  eagle  soon  made  him  crouch  under, 
And  call  out  for  quarter  as  you  shall  soon  hear. 

"Brave  Elliott  -whose  valor  must  now  be  recorded, — 

On  board  the  Niagara  had  well  played  his  part; 
His  gallant  assistance  to  Perry  afforded, 
We  place  him  the  second  on  Lake  Erie's  chart. 

"In  the  midst  of  the  battle  the  guns  they  did  rattle, 
The  L?,wrcnce  a  wreck,  and  the  men  mostly  slain; 
Away  he  did  steer,  and  brought  up  the  rear, 
And  by  this  manuever  the  victory  gained. 

"Says  Perry — 'Brave  Elliott  now  give  me  your  hand. 
This  day  you  have  gained  an  immortal  renown; 
So  long  as  Columbians  Lake  Eiic  com.uand, 

Let  the  brave  Captain  Elliott  with  laurels  be  crowned. 

"Great  Britain  may  boast  of  her  conquering  heroes. 

Her  Rodneys  and  Nelsons,  and  all  the  whole  crew; 
And  Ronne  in  her  glory  ne'er  told  such  a  story, 
Nor  boasted  such  feats  as  Columbians  do. 

"Columbians  sing  and  make  the  woods  ring, 

And  toast  those  brave  spirits  by  sea  and  by  land; 
While  Britains  drink  sherry,  Columbians  drink  Perry, 
And  toast  it  about  with  full  glasses  in  hand." 

As  "distance  lends  enchantment,"  so  with  passing 
years  looms  the  historical  importance  of  "Perry's  vic- 
tory," and  every  scion  of  poesy  who  visits  Put-in-Bay, 
experiences — as  did  his  predecessors — an  irrepressible 
desire  to  pour  into  rhyme  the  thoughts  thereby  awak- 
ened. Thus  graphically  described  is  the  fray  by 
Henry  T,  Tuckerman  of  Newport,  R.  I. : 


Ill 


i-llil' 


m. 


v:i 


'1.1  ii' 


' )     m . 


Is 


■LION'S  HEAD"-VICTORY  PARK, 


PUT-IN  BA  y  rX  SOXG  AND  POE TR  J '. 


41 


"^^^ 


: 


'•Why  to  one  point  turns  every  graceful  prow? 
W'liat  scares  the  eagle  from  his  lonely  l)Ough? 
A  bugle  iiOte  far  through  the  welkin  rings, 
From  ship  to  ship  its  airy  challenge  Hings. 
Then  round  each  hull  the  murky  war  clouds  loom, 
Her  lightnings  glare,  her  sullen  thu  i  lers  boom; 
Peal  follows  peal  with  each  lurid  Hash, 
The  tall  masts  shiver  and  the  bulwarks  crash. 
The  shrouds  hang  loose,  the  decks  are  wet  with  gore, 
And  dying  shrieks  resound  along  the  shore; 
As  fall  the  bleeding  victims  one  by  one, 
Their  messmates  rally  to  the  smoking  gun. 
As  the  maimed  forms  are  sadly  borne  away, 
From  the  fierce  carnage  of  that  murderous  fray, 
A  fitful  joy  lights  up  each  drooping  eye. 
To  see  the  starry  banner  floating  high. 
Or  mark  their  unharmed  leader's  dauntless  air. 
His  life  enfolded  in  his  loved  one's  prayer.  (*) 
Not  o'er  my  head  shall  that  bright  Hag  descend: 
With  brief  monition  from  the  hulk  he  springs, 
To  a  fresh  deck  his  rapid  transit  wings. 
Back  to  the  strife  exultant  shapes  his  way. 
Again  to  test  the  fortunes  of  the  day: 
As  I  ears  the  noble  consort  slowly  down. 
Portentous  now  her  teeming  cannon  frown; 
List  to  the  volleys  that  incessant  break 
The  ancient  silence  of  that  border  lake  ! 
As  lifts  the  smoke,  what  tongue  can  fitly  tell. 
The  transports  which  those  manly  bosoms  swell. 
When  Britain's  ensign,  down  the  reeling  mast, 
Sinks  to  proclaim  the  desperate  struggle  past." 

One  of  the  most  interestiii<r,  yet  saddest  circum- 
stances connected  \v>th  the  Battle  of  Lake  Erie,  was 
undoubtedly  that  recorded  in  the  words  of  still  another 
old  song  that  has  come  down  to  us,  "James  Bird." 
To  a  lady  resident  of  Sandusky  is  the  writer  indebted 


"    Note;— Perry  said  after  his  miraculous  escape  that  h^  owed  his  life 
to  bis  wife's  prayers, 


W^'\ 


|i '.  ; 


ill 


mi 


r' 


'1 
j( 

1' 

1 

1 

42 


p(/t-/jV-ba  y  /jv soA'c;  and  poetry. 


for  dt'tails  of  incidents  from  which  this  son^  took  its 
origin,  and  which  contribute  to  form  an  additional  rem- 
inisence  resurrected  from  a  buried  past.  The  story 
which  may  serv»e  as  a  prelude  to  the  song,  runs  thus: 
After  the  Battle  of  Lake  Erie,  in  which  James 
Bird—  the  hero  commemorated  in  this  connection  — 
distinguished  himself,  and  which  virtually  ended  the 
war,  the  American  fleet  sailed  for  Erie,  Upon  its 
arrival,  Bird  immediately  set  out  for  his  home  at 
Kingston,  anxious  to  see  the  dear  ones  he  had  left  be- 
hind. That  a  formal  discharge  was  a  necessary  con- 
dition of  release  from  his  country's  service,  when  that 
service  was  no  longer  required,  never  entered  his  mind. 
After  a  happy  meeting  with  his  friends,  the  youthful 
marine  hired  to  a  frontiersman  and  bej^an  the  work  of 
clearing  up  timber,  unconscious  of  having  committed 
any  misdemeanor.  Bird  communicated  freely  with 
his  employer  concerning  his  experiences  under  Perry's 
command,  revealing  the  fact  that  he  had  left  the  fleet 
without  a  discharge.  Soon  after  this  the  heartless 
employer  reported  him  as  a  deserter.  He  was  con- 
victed as  such,  and  by  the  stern  rigors  of  military  dis- 
cipline was  sentenced  to  be  shot.  Perry  having  learned 
the  facts,  hastened  to  the  young  man  with  a  par- 
don, but  reached  the  place  of  execution  just  a  moment 
too  late.  One  singular  circumstance  connected  with 
this  tragic  affair  remains  to  be  told.  The  land  which 
the  unfortunate  Bird  had  assisted  in  clearing  for  his 
treacherous  and  unfeeling  employer,  never  produced 
aught  of  vegetable  life,  but  remained  a  desert  tract  of 
barren  soil.  The  lady  who  kindly  furnished  the  above, 
and  who    is  highly  estimable  and  wholly    trustworthy, 


K 


PUT-rXBA  K/iV  SOXG  AXD  POETRY. 


4S 


i<^   took  its 

tional  rem- 

The  story 

runs  thus: 

lich  James 

nnection  — 

ended  the 

Upon   its 

i    home  at 

lad  left  be- 

sary    con- 

when  that 

I  his  mind. 

le  youthful 

e  work  of 

committed 

eely  with 

er  Perry's 

Pt  the  fleet 

heartless 

was  con- 

litary  dis- 

ig  learned 

th    a  par- 

1  moment 

cted   with 

nd  which 

ng  for  his 

produced 

rt  tract  of 

he  above, 

stworthy, 


verifies  the  truth  of   this    statement,  having  frequently 
visited  the  spot  thus  strangely  branded  as  with  a  curse. 
The  music  which  accompanies  the  song  is  as  quaint 
and  as  wierdly  mournful  as  the  words  copied  below : 

JAMES  BIRD. 

"Sons  of  pleasure,  listen  to  me; 

And  ye  daughters  too  give  ear; 
For  a  sad,  and  mournful  story, 
As  e'er  was  told  you  soon  shall  hear. 

"Hull,  you  know  his  troops  surrendered, 
And  defenceless  left  the  West; 
Then  our  forces  quick  assembled, 
The  invaders  to  resist. 

"  'Mongst  the  troops  that  marched  to  Erie, 
Were  the  Kingston  volunteers; 
Captain  Thomas  them  commanded. 
To  protect  our  West  frontiers. 

'•There  was  one  among  the  number, 
Tall,  and  graceful  was  his  mein; 
Firm  his  step,  his  look  undaunted, 
Ne'er  a  nobler  youth  was  seen. 

"One  sweet  kiss  he  snatched  from  Mary, 
Craved  his  mother's  prayer  once  more  ; 
Pressed  his  fath.r's  hand,  and  left  them 
For  Lake  Erie's  distant  shore. 

"Soon  he  came  where  noble  Perry 
Had  assembled  all  his  fleet; 
There  the  gallant  Bird  enlisted, 
Hoping  soon  the  foe  to  meet. 


* 


* 


* 


"Now  behold  the  battle  rages, 
Is  he  in  the  strife  or  no? 
Now  the  cannons  roar  tremendous. 
Dare  he  meet  the  savage  foe  ? 


I 


!  .    > 


h 


a 


44 


I 

r 

J 

i 

: 

> 

£) 

I 
1 

i 

! 

PUTIN-DAY  FN  SOXG  AXD  POETRY. 

"Yes,  behold  him — see  with  Ferry, 
On  tiie  self  same  ship  he  fights; 
Though  his  comrades  fall  around  him, 
Nothing  doth  his  soul  affright. 

"Ah  !  behold— a  ball  has  struck  him, 

See  the  crimson  current  flow; 
'Leave  the  deck  !'  exclaimed  brave  Perry, 
"'No',  cried  Bird,  'I  will  not  go.' 

"  'Here  on  deck  I've  took  my  station. 
Here  will  Bird  his  colors  fl} . 
I'll  stand  by  you,  galiant  captain. 
Till  we  conquer,  or  I  die.' 

"Still  he  fought,  though  faint,  and  bleeding, 
Till  the  stars  and  stripes  arose;' 
Victory  having  crowned  our  efforts 
All  triumphant  o'er  our  foes. 

'"Dearest  parents,  read  the  letter, 
That  will  bring  sad  news  to  you  ; 
Do  not  mourn  your  first  beloved, 
Though  this  brings  you  his  adieu  ' 

'"I  must  suffer  for  desertion. 

From  the  brig  Niagara; 
Read  this  letter  brother,  sister 

T'is  the  last  you'll  hear  from  me.' 

"Dark  and  gloomy  was  the  morning, 
Bird  was  ordered  out  to  die  ; 
Where  the  heart  not  dead  to  pity, 
But  for  him  would  heave  a  sigh. 

"View  him  kneeling  by  his  cofifin. 

Sure  his  death  can  do  no  good; 
'Spare  him' !  hark — oh  Gor !  they've  shot  him, 
See  his  bosom  stream  with  blood ! 

"Farewell,  Bird,  farewell  forever. 

Friends  and  home  he'll  see  no  more; 
For  his  mangled  corpse  lies  buried, 
On  Lake  Erie's  distant  shore." 


PUT-IN-BA  Y  IN  SONG  AND  POETRY. 


45 


nm. 


Noteworthy  among  recent  literary  productions,  was 
a  lon^  descriptive    poem    read  at  the   Cleveland    Cen- 
tennial Anniversary  on  ''Perr^  /ictory  Day,"  September 
loth,  1896.     The  opening  stanzas  are  as  follows: 

"The  sparkling  waters  of  Putin-Hay 
Are  resting  in  placid  peace  to  clay; 
But  the  silvery  sheen  of  their  ebbing  Hood, 
Was  once  stained  red  with  our  grand  sires'  blood. 

"And  the  dells  and  dales  of  the  wooded  shore, 
Sent  back  the  wild  echo  of  cannon's  roar; 
While  the  drifting  spars,  and  shattered  hulls, 
Formed  a  resting  place  for  the  white  winged  gulls. 

"In  one  grave  near  the  beach  at  Put  in-Bay, 
Our  friends,  and  our  foes  were  laid  away; 

It  is  three,  and  four  score  years  ago, 
Since  Oliver  ''erry  met  the  foe, 
But  the  deeds  heroic  done  that  day, 
Cast  a  halo  of  glory  'round  Put  in-Bay." 

A  "Forest  City"  pilgrim  to  the  burial  place  of  the 
illustrious  dead,  breaks  thus  into  rhyme: 

"Where  the  white  caverned  rocks  are  reflected, 

On  the  swell  of  the  long  curving  billow. 
Near  where  Perry's  dead  heroes  neglected, 

Lie  nameless  beneath  the  gaunt  willow, 
I  dreamed  of  our  dead  and  forgotten. 

Marked  "unknown"  on  the  tablets  of  fame, 
And  a  long  line  of  heroes  filed  past  me. 

Who  for  us  gave  a  life,  and  a  name  " 

Further  eulogized  in  a  poem  by  an  unknown  author, 
are  these  old  time  martyrs;  and  further  deprecated 
the  neglect  that  has  thus  far  been  accorded  them : 

"Their  monument  the  willow  tree, 
Their  requiem  the  waves, 
Of  old  Lake  Erie  dashing  free, 
Around  their  nameless  graves; 


i 


Ills 


l: 


II 

i 


if 


H 


I         |! 


4/3 


PUTIN-BA  YIN  SONG  AND  POETRY. 


Their  epitaph  the  withered  grass 

That  marks  their  lowly  beds, 
Their  eulogy,  the  moaning  winds 

That  sigh  above  their  heads. 

"Neglected,  and  forgotten  here, 

Without  a  line  or  stone, 
These  brave  defenders  fill  one  grave, 

Their  very  names  unknown. 
Four  scores  of  springs  have  brought  their  bloonj, 

To  this  immortal  isle, 
Since  friend  and  foe  were  buried  here. 

In  one  promiscuous  pile. 

"My  countP',  not  too  late  to  raise, 

A  column  to  the  brave, 
Who  brought  a  glory  to  the  flag, 

A  victory  to  the  wave. 
Who  drove  the  Briton  from  these  shores, 

Who  gave  this  isle  a  name, 
Who  broug'it  the  country  fresh  renown, 
To  Perry,  deathless  fame." 

So  great  an  aftermath  of  Perry  Victory  song 
and  verse  has  been  gleaned  however,  that  further 
mention  of  individual  effort  along  this  line  would  be 
impracticable. 

Though  affording  themes  most  favored,  the  Put- 
in-Bay muse  and  musician  leave  frequently  the  beaten 
paths  of  historical  record  and  popular  tradition,  to  re- 
vel in  dreams  of  fancy,  of  love,  and  romance. 

Poems  of  sentiment  contribute  a  glamour  of  roman- 
tic interest;  and  compositions  such  as  the  "Put- 
in-Bay March"  and  "Put-in-Bay  Polka"  are  known  to 
the  musical  world.  Even  the  "Masher"  and  his  ad- 
ventures are  not  forgotten,  since  in  a  very  spirited  song 
and  dance  issued  by  a  sheet  music  publisher,  both  are 
embalmed  in  measures  rythmical  under  the  title,  "The 
Girl  of  Put-in-Bay." 


i?K 


r  bloom, 


ctory   song 

lat    further 

would  be 

the  Put- 
the  beaten 
tion,  to  re- 


of  roman- 
the  "Put- 
known  to 
id  his  ad- 
rited  song 
both  are 
itle,  "The 


ll 


I 


i 


i 

4: 


cc 


o 


CO 


r^f    ' 


cc 


< 


VISITORS  FROM  ANOTHER  WORLD. 

A  Story  of  the  Battle  of  Lake  Erie. 


CHAPTER  L 


The  fleet  had  sailed,  and  the  eight  vessels,  armed 
and  equipped  as  ships  of  war,  were  heading  westward 
up  Lake  Erie  in  search  of  the  skulking  squadron  of 
the  enemy. 

For  some  time  pr  viousl}-,  the  red  llag  v>f  Great 
Britain  had  carried  terror  to  the  inhabitants  of  new 
.settlements  along  the  southern  borders  of  these  disputed 
waters,  but  the  eagle  of  Columbia  now  spread  her 
wings  to  the  breeze,  and  fluttered  upon  the  pennons  of 
the  ships  which  carried  the  heroic  Perry  and  his 
command. 

It  was  twilight.  The  western  heavens  and  a  wide 
expanse  of  sea  that  blended  were  still  aglow.  The 
moon  had  risen,  and  a  few  stars  bolder  and  more 
brilliant  than  their  companions  looked  forth  as  if  im- 
patient at  tne  day's  lingering  departure.  A  freshening 
breeze  filled  the  bellying  canvas  of  the  vessels  as  they 
swept  silently  onward.  Presque  Isle,  from  whicii  the 
squadron  had  cleared  lay  far  beliind,  while  to  the  left  a 
long,  low  belt  of  land  marked  the  southern  shores  with 
their  dark  interminable  forests  lit  at  intervals  by  Indian 
camp  fires. 

On  the  deck  of  the  ilag-ship  Lav\  .ice,  leaning 
over  the  bulwarks,  appeared  a  young  man  attired  in 


'  i  I, 

i 


I  i  I?' 


i 


[I 


I 


;; 


i   111  !! 


48 


VISITORS  FROM  ANOTHER  WORLD, 


the  uniform  of  an  officer  whom  we  will  introduce  to 
the  reader  as  Arthur  Holmes. 

Though  still  under  twenty-five  years,  the  unmistak- 
able lines  of  some  deep  sorrow  were  already  traced 
upon  his  brow.  Near  the  young  officer  a  group  of 
tars  and  marines  were  discussing  the  prospective  en- 
gagement and  its  probable  results.  At  the  mast-head 
a  man  was  stationed  to  watch  for  the  appearance  of 
the  enemy,  and  a  half  suppressed  buzz  of  expectation 
extended  to  all  the  vessels  of  the  fleet.  The  young 
officer  appeared  too  closely  occupied  by  his  own 
thoughts  at  this  moment,  however,  to  join  in  specu- 
lation regarding  the  expedition,  and  too  calm  to  be 
agitated  by  anything  that  might  occur  in  the  near  future. 
He  seemed  oblivious  to  all  around,  when  approached 
by  a  brother  officer  of  about  his  own  age  and  rank  who 
bore  the  name  of  Robert  Reade. 

"Don't  brood,"  said  Reade,  placing  hii  hand  on 
Holmes'  shoulder. 

The  latter  turned  toward  his  companion  with  a 
smile  so  sad  that  it  failed  to  illumine  even  for  a  moment 
the  settled  gloom  of  his  features. 

"This  will  never  do,  Arthur,"  said  Reade,  speaking 
in  a  kind  but  decisive  manner.  "You  must  get  out  of 
yourself.  You  must  drown  past  sorrow,  by  throwing 
yourself  into  present  activities.  Surely  we  have  enough 
to  occupy  our  minds  at  this  time  without  broodmg 
over  a  dead  and  buried  past.  We  shall  soon  stand 
shoulder  to  shoulder  in  a  combat  that  must  result  in 
signal  victory  or  defeat,  and  we  should  try  to  forget 
everything  except  the  issues  of  this  glorious  under- 
taking.' 


»» 


A  STOR  Y  OF  THE  BA  TTLE  OF  LAKE  ERIE. 


49 


oduce  to 

mmistak- 
[y  traced 
group  of 
ictive  en- 
nast-head 
irance  of 
:pectation 
he  young 
his  own 
n  specu- 
alm  to  be 
ar  future, 
►proached 
rank  who 

hand  on 

with   a 
moment 

speaking 

let  out  of 

hrowing 

enough 

»roodmg 

>n  stand 

•esult   in 

forget 

under- 


"I  cannot  drown  nor  forget  the  past,  but  when  the 
time  comes  to  fight — I  am  ready." 

Holmes  spoke  with  quiet  firmness,  and  an  expres- 
sion of  steady  determination  shone  in  his  dark  eyes. 

Before  proceeding,  we  will  further  introduce  our 
young  hero  b}'  sketching  a  page  or  two  of  his  previous 
history.  It  was  six  months  since  a  tragic  occurrence 
had  seemed  destined  to  overshadow  all  the  remaining 
years  of  his  life. 

A  year  previous  he  had  become  engaged  to  a 
young  and  beautiful  girl,  Nellie  Wilder,  the  daughter 
of  Connecticut  paren  s  who  had  settled  upon  the  lake 
border.  Arthur  cherished  a  strong  attachment  for  the 
girl  which  was  fully  reciprocated,  and  forgetting  the 
dangers  and  privations  incident  to  the  pioneer,  his  life 
grew  into  perfect  happiness  beneath  the  sunshine  of 
her  presence.. 

The  parents  of  Nellie  Wilder  lived  in  a  cabin  near 
the  banks  of  a  small  river.  On  the  opposite  side  had 
settled  the  family  of  a  hunter,  and  an  intimacy  fostered 
by  the  solitude  of  the  situation  sprang  up  be- 
tween the  two  families.  An  Indian  canoe  served  to 
bridge  the  stream,  and  one  afternoon  in  the  early 
spring,  Nellie,  wishing  to  visit  the  neighboring  cabin, 
crossed  in  the  canoe  and  fastening  it  to  a  stake,  proceeded 
on  foot  through  a  strip  of  forest  that  lay  between  the 
stream  and  the  hunter's  home. 

The  afternoon    wore  away.      The  sun  went  down 
and  early  twilight    shadows    gathered  darkly  in   the 
thick  forest.      Nellie  had  not  returned,  and  the  Wilder 
family  grew  alarmed.     Crossing  the  river  on  an  impro- 
vised raft,  Mr.  Wilder  repaired  to    the  hunter's  cabin. 


i  I 


60 


VISITORS  FROM  ANOTHER  WORLD. 


\ 


m 


m 


a  . 


I    i 


i  il 


'f 


;i! 


iii: 


I, 

i'i 


To  his  dismay  he  found  that  Nelhe  had  not  been  there 
and  had  not  been  seen.  The  news  of  her  disappearance 
spread  rapidly  through  the  small  settlement.  When 
it  reached  the  ears  of  Arthur  Holmes  he  instantly  pro- 
ceeded to  organize  a  body  of  men  for  the  purpose  of 
pursuing  and  overhauling  a  roving  band  of  Indians 
which  had  passed  that  day  through  the  settlement. 
Arthur  had  felt  convinced  that  the  Indians  had  raptured 
the  girl  and  carried  her  away  with  them.  Full  of  rest- 
less anxiety,  he  was  soon  in  hot  pursuit  at  the  head  of 
twenty  armed  men.  They  struck  the  trail  of  the  fugi- 
tives and  pressed  forward,  but  it  was  not  until  the 
afternoon  of  the  next  day  that  they  were  overtaken. 
The  Indians  were  surprised  and  captured  in  a  ravine 
where  they  had  camped  for  the  purpose  of  roast- 
ing game;  but  Nellie  was  not  with  them,  and 
no  trace  of  her  could  be  found.  The  Indians  professed 
total  ignorance  concerning  her.  They  represented 
themselves  as  peaceably  disposed,  and  begged  per- 
mission to  continue  on  their  way.  Arthur  w  as  bitterly 
disappointed  but  persuaded  that  the  statement  made  by 
the  Indians  was  correct,  he  allowed   them  to  proceed. 

A  new  apprehension  now  took  possession  of  Arthur. 
Perhaps  Nellie  had  wandered  into  the  forest  and  had 
become  the  prey  of  wild  beasts.  The  thought  tilled 
him  with  agony,  and  he  cursed  his  weak  judgment 
which  had  led  him  so  far  on  this  wild  chase,  when  he 
should  have  scoured  the  nearer  forest.  A  solution  of 
the  mystery  awaited  him  when  he  reached  the  settle- 
ment, and  uncertainty  gave  place  to  horrible  reality. 

In  his  absence,  search  had  been  made  along  the 
river  bank.      At  a  point  where  the  trees  grew    thick 


.D. 

been  there 
appearance 
nt.     When 
itantly  pro- 
purpose  of 
of   Indians 
settlement, 
id  captured 
'ull  of  rest- 
he  head  of 
)f  the  fugi- 
3t  until  the 
overtaken. 
in  a  ravine 
of   roast- 
(heni,     and 
professed 
epresented 
gged   per- 
as  bitterly 
made  by 
3  proceed, 
of  Arthur, 
t  and  had 
ght   filled 
judgment 
when  he 
olution  of 
the  settle- 

eality. 
ilong    the 
ew    thick 


A  STORY  OF  THE  BA  TTLE  OF  LAKE  ERIE.        51 

and  dark,  twenty  yards  below  where  the  canoe  was 
fastened,  strips  of  clothing  identical  with  that  worn  by 
Nellie,  spotted  with  blood,  together  with  small  wisps 
of  tangled  hair  were  scattered  promisciously  about  a 
pool  of  clotted  gore.  The  hair,  soft  and  wav}',  was  of 
a  peculiar  shade  of  auburn  seldom  seen,  and  all  who 
had  known  Nellie  Wilder  at  c.ce  recognized  it  as  hers. 
At  this  revelation  some  of  the  settlers  now  remembered 
havin<r  heard  the  ho*vl  of  wolves  west  of  the  river  on 
the  afternoon  of  the  girl's  disappearance.  Nellie  had 
undoubtedly  been  killed  and  devoured  by  wild  beasts. 
A  curl  of  the  blood-stained  hair  and  a  locket  containing 
lier  miniature  was  all  that  remained  to  Arthur  of  one 
who  was  dearer  to  him  than  life. 

We  will  briefly  pass  over  the  months  that  followed 
lliis  occurrence.  Arthur  was  at  Jlrst  stupefied  and  un- 
able to  comprehend  the  truth.  When  at  last  the  ter- 
rible reality  came  surging  upon  him,  his  brain  reeled 
and  reason  tottered.  A  violent  fit  of  sickness  followed, 
his  life  hung  in  the  balance,  but  he  recovered  and 
went  out  into  the  world  a  changed  man,  for  all  the 
music  and  sunshine  had  departed  from  his  life.  When 
in  answer  to  a  call  to  arms  he  entered  the  navy  under 
command  of  Perry,  he  cherished  the  secret  wish  that 
should  a  sacrifice  of  life  be  required,  his  might  be  the 
first. 

Such  was  the  state  of  Arthur's  mind,  when  the 
reader  first  sees  him  in  the  person  of  a  handsome,  intel- 
ligent, but  sad  faced  young  officer  on  board  the  man- 
of-war. 

Two  days   after  clearing    from  Presque   Isle,  the 
squadron  reached  the  head  of  Lake  Erie  without  hav- 


■! 


I 


l^f 


I 


I'll 


!(       U] 


; 


I 


1-1 


I 


62 


VISITORS  FROM  ANOTHER  WORLD, 


ing  encountered  the  enemy;  and  now  lay  within  a  se- 
questered bay  formed  by  the  protecting  shoies  of 
clustering  islands.  Under  the  mellow  light  of  dreamy 
skies,  and  lapped  by  blue  waves,  these  islands  appeared 
serenely  beautiful,  though  no  sight  nor  sound  of  visible 
life  disturbed  the  solitude  of  their  forest  covered  shores 
save  the  chattering  of  birds,  or  screaming  of  eagles  as 
they  wheeled  away  over  the  topmasts  of  the  vessels 
at  anchor.  In  this  bay,  the  fleet  lay  for  days  and 
weeks  watching  for  that  of  the  British.  Meantime,  the 
officers  and  marines  pulled  ashore  in  straggling  bands 
in  quest  of  amusement.  There  were  recent  traces  of 
Indians,  but  they  had  doubtless  fled  at  the  approach 
of  the  battleships.  Two  or  three  indifferent  looking 
cabins  in  cleared  spaces  indicated  that  the  whites 
had  also  held  a  foothold  there,  but  they  too  had 
disappeared. 

One  afternoon,  weary  of  life  on  shipboard,  Arthur 
Holmes  had  landed  at  one  of  the  larger  islands  with  the 
intention  of  exploring  its  shores.  He  was  accompanied  by 
Rudolph  Gustave,  an  old  marine  commonly  known  as 
"the  bull-dog"—  so  called  from  his  fighting  qualities. 
The  two  had  spent  the  afternoon  wandering  about  ad- 
miring the  romantic  scenery  and  remarking  the  peculiar 
roughness  of  the  limestone  upon  every  side.  Numer- 
ous caves  and  crevices  had  also  attracted  their  atten- 
tion, but  warned  at  last  by  approaching  night  they 
started  for  the  shore  where  they  had  left  their  boat* 
On  the  way  thither  Arthur  halted  to  examine  a  curi- 
ously formed  specimen  of  rock  over  which  he  had 
stumbled  when  attracted  by  an  exclamation  of  surprise 
from  his  companion. 


A  STORY  OF  THE  RATTLE  OF  LAKE  ERIE. 


63 


ithin  a  se- 
shoies     of 
of  dreamy 
3  appeared 
[  of  visible 
;red  shores 
f  eagles  as 
:he  vessels 
days  and 
antime,  the 
rling  bands 
it  traces  of 
:   approach 


rd,  Arthur 
s  with  the 
mpaniedby 
known  as 
qualities, 
about  ad- 
le  peculiar 
Numer- 
heir   atten- 
night  they 
their  boat, 
line  a  curi- 
ch  he   had 
of  surprise 


"What  have  you  found  ?"  queried  Arthur  stepping 
quickly  forward. 

"What  say  you  ?"  returned  Rudolph. 

"Witches,  faries,  spirits,  or  flesh  and  blood  ?  " 

"What  do  you  mean  ?  "  exclaimed  Arthur,  noting 
the  look  of  amazement  on  the  swarthy  face  of  his  com- 
pr  ■'ion. 

"Did'nt  you  see  those  two  women  ?" 

"Women!  There  are  no  women  on  this  forsaken 
island." 

"Then  they  were  spirits,"  replied  Rudolph. 

"It  must  havj  been  imagination  on  your  part,  or  an 
optical  delusion." 

"No  imagination,  no  delusion.  1  saw  them  as 
plainly  as  I  see  you." 

"Then  where  did  they  go?" 

"That  1  don't  know;  they  seemed  to  disappear  be- 
hind that  clump  of  cedars,  but  may  be  they  vanished 
into  the  air." 

"I  see  you  are  inclined  to  be  superstitious." 

"Call  it  superstition  if  you  will,"  returned  Rudolph 
testily. 

"Let  us  see  if  we  can  catch  another  glimpse  of 
them;"  said  Arthur  walking  toward  the  clump  of  cedars 
in  question.     "  What  did  they  look  like  ?  " 

"One  was  a  white  woman;  the  other  dark.  I 
hardly  noticed  the  dark  one,  but  1  should  know  the 
white  face  among  ten  thousand." 

"Was  there  anything  peculiar  about  the  face?" 

"There  was  everything  peculiar.  I  can't  exactly 
explain  in  what  way,  only  it  was  the  most  beautiful 
face  that  1  ever  saw.     Dark  curling  hair  with  a  glint 


'III^ 


[-Mr 


I 


'  \ 


■J 


■!( 


64 


V/SITORS  FROM  ANOTHER  WORLD. 


of  gold  touching  it,  and  blue  cyts  tluit  looked  as  if  they 
belonged  to  an  angel." 

Arthur  was  visibly  impress'jd  by  this  description 
but  said  nothing.  They  searched  among  the  thick 
growths  of  underbrush,  but  found  no  trace  of  any  liv- 
in<r  creature.  Arthur  thought  strange  of  the  affair, 
but  inwardly  laid  it  to  the  superstitious  fancy  of  Rudolph 
and  as  it  was  now  growing  late  they  hurriedly  left  the 
spot  and  returned  to  the  vessel. 

That  night  when  the  moon  shone  brightly  overhead, 
Arthur  Holmes  looked  about  the  deck  for  Rudolph. 
He  found  the  old  soldier  reclining  against  the  truck  of 
a  cannon.  Arthur  wished  to  speak  further  concerning 
the  singular  occurrence  in  the  woods,  but  waited  for 
Rudolph  to  begin. 

After  a  few  common- places,  the  latter  turned  sud- 
denly toward  his  companion. 

"So  you  don't  believe  in  spirits?"  observed  he, 

"O  yes!  in  their  places  of  course,  but  I  should  hardly 
imagine  them  stalking  about  deserted  islands." 

"That  might  depend  upon  what  their  errands 
were,"  replied  Rudolph. 

"Young  man,"  continued  the  latter  after  a  mo- 
ment's silence,  "don't  tell  me  there  are  no  spirits,  be- 
cause I  have  felt  their  presence.  Yes,  and  they  can 
travel  between  this  and  the  other  world  just  when 
they  have  a  mind  to." 

He  drew  from  his  pocket  a  metallic  case,  one  side 
of  wl  ich  was  partially  shattered,  and  opened  it. 

"Look  !  Here  is  a  picture  of  my  mother.  She 
died  when  I  was  a  boy,  and  now  let  me  tell  you  how 
that  case  got  shattered." 


STOR\  OF  THE  BA  TTLE  OF  LAKE  ERIE. 


55 


description 
the  thick 
of  any  Hv- 
E  the  affair, 
of  Rudolph 
idly  left  the 

,y  overhead, 
»r  Rudolph, 
the  truck  of 
-  concerning 
waited  for 

turned  sud- 

ved  he, 
ould  hardly 
ds." 
leir    errands 

lafter  a  mo- 
spirits,  be- 
|nd  they  can 
just  when 

se,  one  side 
led  it. 

Other.     She 
11  you  how 


"It  was  the  night  before  the  battle  of  Trafalgar, 
and  I  lay  with  my  mess  mates  about  me.  I  was 
pretty  tired  and  dropped  into  a  sound  sleep.  I  don't 
know   how   long   I   had   slept   when    I    was   suddenly 


\v 


ikened  by  a  voice   close  to  my   ear  calling 


^Dolpl 


lie 


— that  was   w 


hat 


my 


mother  used   to  call  me,  and  it 


was  her  voice  just  as  I  remembered  it  when  a  boy.  I 
startetl  and  looked  around.  My  comrades  were  all 
asleep  and  everything  quiet.  It  must  have  been  a 
dream,  I  said  to  myself,  and  though  it  impressed  me 
a  o^ood  deal,  I  lay  down  after  a  little  and  was  just 
dozing  off  when  1  felt  the  touch  of  a  soft  hand  upon 
mv  forehead,  and  heard  that  same  voice  again  calling 
my  name.  I  was  wide  awake  in  an  instant.  My 
comrades  were  still  sleeping,  and  the  silence  around 
made  it  seem  strange  and  solemn.  Then  I  felt  and 
knew  that  a  visitor  from  another  world  had  come  to 
me  and  that  visitor  was  my  mother. 

"  'But  why  should  she  come  to  me  now  after  these 
many  years?'  thought  I.  'Is  there  anything  that  dis- 
turbs her  rest?' 

"I  couldn't  sleep,  so  I  got  up  and  took  a  few  turns 
up  and  down  on  a  short  beat,  speculating  on  the 
curious  affair  and  thinking  of  my  mother.  After  a 
while  I  sat  down  and  put  my  hand  into  my  breast 
pocket  for  this  picture — I  always  carry  it  there.  Then 
1  remembered  that  I  had  slipped  it  into  my  knapsack 
when  mending  my  blouse  a  few  days  before,  and 
h.'.dn't  thought  to  put  it  back  in  its  place.  I  looked 
at  the  picture  a  long  while.  My  mother  as  she  ap- 
peared in  life  was  a  quiet,  sad  faced  woman,  but  pretty 
looking   with  mild  brown   eyes  and  fair  hair.     As  I 


flff 


'•■^^ 


i'^ 


'I 


m 


\m 


I  I; 


66 


VISITORS  FROM  ANOTHER  WORLD. 


gazed,  old  memories  came  cro\vdin<^  to  my  mind,  and 
the  picture  of  a  church,  a  i;rave}'ard,  and  a  little 
marble  cross  bearinjf  my  mother's  name-  lying  under 
the  shadow  of  mountains  among  which  1  was  born 
away  in  sunny  France  -  came  before  me. 

"I  had  grown  up  rough-like,  but  at  that  moment 
my  feelings  got  the  better  of  me,  and  I  cried  like  a 
baby.  I  put  the  picture  back  in  my  pocket,  close 
where  my  heart  could  beat  against  it. 

"Well,  the  next  day  when  the  battle  was  at  its 
height  and  shot  and  shell  were  showering  about  like 
hail,  a  ball  penetrated  my  clothing  and  struck  the 
miniature  tliat  lay  over  m}'^  heart,  shattering  the  case  as 
you  see.  That  picture  saved  my  life.  Then  it  oc- 
curred to  me  why  my  mother  had  come  to  me  so 
strangely  at  dead  of  night  and  jogged  my  memory. 
But  for  the  reminder,  I  shouldn't  have  thought  to  put 
the  picture  in  my  pocket  before  the  battle, 

"Another  time  when  the  fritjate  Marseilles — on 
board  of  which  I  served — went  to  pieces  off  the  Cape 
of  Good  Hope,  all  through  the  storm  and  darkness  of 
that  awful  night,  when  the  seas  were  sweeping  our 
decks  fore  and  aft  and  the  timbers  were  wrenching 
apart  and  everything  going  by  the  board — that  night 
I  could  feel  my  mother's  presence  about  me  which 
ever  wa}'  1  turned  and  when  the  vessel  parted  amid- 
ships and  went  down,  I  reached  land,  clinging  to  a 
broken  spar,  one  of  only  three  mtm  saved  from  a  crew 
of  eighty  tars  and  marines." 

At  the  conclusion  of  this  narration  Rudolph  re- 
lapsed into  silence,  while  under  the  brilliant  moonlight 
Arthur  examined  the   shattered  case  and  studied  the 


A  STORY  OJ^'  THE  BA  TTLE  OF  LAKE  ERIE. 


57 


I  mind,  and 
and  a  little 
ying  under 
I  was   born 

hat  moment 
cried  like  a 
ocket,  close 

e  was  at  its 
5  about  like 
1  struck  the 
ig  the  case  as 
Then  it  oc- 
me  to  me  so 
my  memory, 
ought  to  put 

urseilles — on 
off  the  Cape 
darkness  of 
weeping  our 
e   wrenching 
l—that  night 
It  me   which 
)r\rted  amid- 
:linging  to  a 
from  a  crew 

I  Rudolph  re- 

^nt  moonlight 

studied  the 


picture  with  interest.     The   wierdness  of  the  old  vet- 
eran's stories  liad  strangely  impressed  him. 

"You  seem  to  think  a    great  deal   of  this   picture." 

"Yes  !     Wouldn't  part  with  it  for  a  kingdom." 

"I  too  have  a  picture  that  I  always  carry,  and  that 
I  value  as  highly  as  you  do  this,"  observed  Arthur, 
handing  back  the  miniature, 

"Indeed  !"  exclaimed  Rudolpii  brightening.  "Your 
mother.''" 

"No." 

"Sister.^" 

"No  !" 

"Sweetheart  then,  perhaps?" 

Arthur  nodded  assent,  and  taking  the  picture  of 
Nellu'  Wilder  from  his  pocket,  passed  it  to  the  old 
soldier. 

"I  don't  v/onder  you  value  it,"  said  Rudolph,  hold- 
ing the  picture  so  that  the  moon's  rays  c-  uld  fall  full 
upon  it. 

"it's  the  face  of  a  saint  and  no  mistake." 

Then  suddenly,  with  a  puzzled  expression,  Ru- 
[dolph  bent  over,  scanning  it  still  more  closel}';  his 
hand  to  his  head  as  if  trying  to  recall  something  which 
[he  had  forgotten . 

"1  believe  that  I   have   seen   that   face  somewhere 
[before."  he  said  musingl}-. 

Arthur  shook  his  head. 

"I  think  not,"  he  replied. 

"Then  I  have  seen  one  exactly  like  it,  I  swear!" 
"eplied  Rudolph  with  increasing  interest. 

"I  would  go  a  long  way  to  see  a  face  like  that; 
rho,  and  wheie  could  it  have  been?" 


"'■ 


58 


VISITORS  FROM  A  NO  THKR  J  J  'ORLD. 


lilt 


"That's  just  vvliat  I'm  trying  to  get  through  my 
head, 

"I  know!"  he  exchiimed,  "I  know!"  Then  drop- 
ping his  voice  to  a  low  tone,  he  continued — 

"It  was  the  face  that  I  saw  this  afternoon,  over  on 
yonder  island." 

Arthur  was  not  superstitious,  hut  his  imagination 
had  heen  deeply  wrought  upon  during  the  afternoon, 
and  evening,  and  the  color  now  left  his  cheeks  and  he 
trembled  with  nervous  excitement. 

"You  are  fanciful,"  he  said  tu -ning  to  Rudolph. 
"May  be  I  am,  but  what  I  see,  I  see."     "You  kuow 
I  told  vou  that  I   would  know  that  face  among    ten 
thousand." 

"So  3'^ou  think  the  face  that  you  saw  was  like  the 
one  in  this  picture." 

"I  do,"  replied  Rudolph  emphaticalU'. 

"What  did  you  say  was  the  color  of  the  hair?" 

"It  was  dark  with  a  shade  of  gold  running  through 
t,  and  was  waw  and  curlinj^  like." 

"Then  the  color  must  have  been  auburn,"  sug- 
gested Arthur  with  quivering  lij"). 

"Yes,  I  believe  it  was  what  would  be  called 
auburn." 

Arthur  took  the  picture  from  its  case;  as  he  did  so 
a  curl  of  hair  fell  at  his  feet.  lie  picked  it  up,  and 
laid  it  tenderly  within  his  palm.  There  were  stains  of 
blood  upon  it,  but  observable  only  on  close  examina- 
tion. Catching  the  moonbeams  a  glint  of  light 
mingled  with  the  darker  shade. 

"Was  it  anything  like  this?"  queried  Arthur, 
handing  Rudolph  the  lock  of  hair. 


\\i 


LD. 

1  rough  my 

^hen  drop- 


)n,  over  on 


mntrination 

afternoon, 

(jks  and  he 

idol  ph. 
'You  Li.iow 
among    ten 

k'as  like  the 


hair?" 
ng  through 

)urn,"  sug- 

be    called 

he  did  so 

lit   up,  and 

c'  stains  of 

examina- 

of     light 

Arthur, 


A  STORY  OF  THE  DA  TTLE  OF  LAKE  ERIE. 


59 


-  'a 


"Aye,  the  very  same;  where  did  you  get  this?" 
"It  belonged  to  the  girl  in  the  picture." 
Rudolph  gazed  at  the  curl  of  hair,  and  the  minia- 
ture and  was  silent. 

"Young  man,"  he  said  slowly  at  last.  "I  don't 
want  to  say  anything  to  make  you  uneasy,  but  I  am 
afraid  there  is  something  wrong.  This  appearance 
may  be  a  token  to  you  from  your  sweetheart.  Some- 
thing may  have  happened  her." 

"Something    has   happened  her,"  replied  Arthur, 
choking  with  emotion. 
"How's  that?" 

"She  has  been  dead  ih^^se  six  months." 
"Then  it  was  her  spirit  that  1  saw." 
"Well,    but    why   should    she    appear    to  3'ou,  a 
stranger,  and  not  to  me?" 

"That  is  a  question  which  I  cannot  answer." 
Arthur  related  the  circumstances  of  Nellie  Wilder's 
death,  and  the  two  friends  remained  in  close  conversa- 
tion until  the  moon  had  passed  her  zenith  and  was 
climbing  down  the  western  skies.  The  midnight  stars 
were  looking  down  into  the  sleeping  bay,  and  the  wild 
notes  of  the  whip-poor-will  re-echoed  from  adjacent 
shores  when  Arthur  turned  into  his  hammock. 

The  strange  problem  presented  by  the  incidents 
narrated,  together  with  other  thoughts  and  emotions, 
so  occupied  his  mind  that  to  sleep  was  impossible. 
Questions  to  which  he  could  lind  no  answer  recurred 
to  him  again  and  again. 

"Did  the  departed  ever  return?  And  had  the  spirit 
of  Nellie  Wilder  appeared  to  Rudolph  Gustave;  or 
was  this  man  the  dupe  of  superstition,  weakness  and 


'■ — '  — 1""-**'^  "■"'iiiiiBa 


60 


VISITORS  FROM  ANOTHER  WO  RID, 


II 


'in 


ignorance?     Superstitious  he   might   be,  but  he   was 
neither  weak  nor  ignorant. 

"Why  may  not  etherealized  beings  traverse 
measureless  distances  and  become  visible  to  mortal 
eyes? 

"If  this  were  so,  then  might  not  the  spirit  of  his 
loved  and  lost  return  to  him  again? 

"Oh,  that  she  would  come  back  to  me  now.       That 
1  might  feel  the  touch  of  her  hand  upon    my  forehead 
and  gaze  once  more    upon  the    sweet  face,  though    i 
were  that  of  spirit." 


CHAPTER  n, 
A  Mystery  Unravtllcd* 

Two  days  aft^^r  the  events  above  related  occurred 
the  battle  ol  Lake  Erie,  the  details  of  which  have 
passed  into  history  and  need  no  rehearsal  in  this  con- 
nection. 

Arthur  received  a  wound  in  the  left  arm,  which 
though  comparatively  slight,  was  very  painful.  The 
next  day  after  the  battle  \)*t  witnessed  from  tJie  d<ck  of 
the  Niagara  the  burial  of  the  officers  of  both  squadrons 
slain  in  the  engagement.  The  bodies  were  conveyed 
in  boats  to  the  shores  oi  the  larger  island  a-nc'  interred 
with  fitting  ceremonials. 

"By  what  strange  providence''"  quc    ^wied  Arthur, 

"By  what  strange  providence  lias  my  life  been 
spared?     I  v. ho  have  nothing  for  whi^-h  to  live,  while 


e,  but   he   was 

iings  traverse 
iible  to    morta! 

le   spirit  of  his 

e  now.  That 
I  my  forehead 
ice,  though    it 


ated  occurred 
f  which  have 
a)  in  this  con- 


t  arm,  which 
Damful.  The 
m  \.\w-  ckck  of 
3th  squadrons 
ire  conveyed 
1  em^,  interred 


rjiled  Arthur, 
ny  hfe  been 
to  live,  while 


Jlj 


!■■: 


1!  ',   i 


; 


m 

It  i 


W' 


ii!;:! 


I 

uJ 

>• 


J 
Q 
Ll 
UJ 

z 


0 
0 

r 


t  ; 


A  STORY  OF  THE  BA  TTLE  OF  LAKE  ERIE. 


61 


i  4? 


others  bound  to  existence  by  ties  of  love  and  tenderness 
have  fallen  victinns  to  the  grim  destroyer?" 

His  wound  exempting  him  from  further  duty,  Ar- 
thur obtained  permission  to  remain  in  a  small  settle- 
ment on  the  peninsula  lying  southwest  of  the  islands, 
the  squadron  having  anchored  off  that  place  to  prepare 
for  a  transportation  of  troops  to  Canada. 

At  the  expiration  of  two  weeks  the  wound  had  so 

[far  improved  as  to  allow  the  young  soldier  freedom  to 

Imove  about.     He    grew    restless    and   finally  became 

I  possessed  of  a  strange   desire  to    return  to  the  islands 

I  off  which  the  battle   was  fought,  although   he  could 

I  not    have    defined    satisfactorily    the     motive    which 

"piompted  the  desire.     He  felt  a  morbid  longing  to  see 

I  the  spot  where  had  occurred  the   singular   adventure 

3  with  the  old  French  soldier.     The  solitary  island  pos- 

;  sessed  for  hi::  a  fascination   which  grew  as  the  days 

went  by.     There  were  but  a  few  intervening  miles  of 

]  water  between  it  and  the  peninsula,  and   yielding  to  a 

Hreak  of  fancy  he  resolved  to  again  visit  the  place. 

v!       Under  pretext  of  reviewing  the  scene  of  the  battle 

Jand  burial  place  of  the  slain,  he  persuaded  two  young 

|men  to  accompany  him.     Accordingly  on  a  bright  au- 

Stumnal  morning,  when  scarlet-leaved  sumachs  drooped 

over  the  rocks  and  were    reflected  in   the    calm   blue 

of  Erie,  a  light,  staunch  boat  containing  the  trio  pulled 

.awav  toward  the  lone   island  in  the   distance.     In  less 

Ithan  two  hour's  they  had  r'eached  their  destination,  and 

finding  a  level  beach  landed  and  drew  up  the  boat.  On 

proceeding  along  a  bend  of  the  shore,  they  di.^;  overbed 

two  Indian  canoes  lying  wathin  a  cove.     The  discovery 

rather  intimidated  Arthur's  companions,  but  they  were 


Ill: 


I  til! 


62 


VISITORS  FROM  ANOTHER  WORLD. 


all  well  armed  and  he  persuaded  them  to  proceed, 
having  Hrst  secreted  the  boat  among  some  bushes. 
They  advanced  cautiously,  Arthur  leading  the  way. 
He  remembered  the  spot  where  lay  the  Mecca  of  his 
pilgrimage  and  moved  eagerly  toward  it. 

"Hist  !  I  thought  I  saw  a  shadow   moving  among 
the  trees,"  said  one  of  the  men  in  a  low  tone. 
"Where.^"  queried  Arthur. 
"Beyond  that  bunch  of  cedars." 

It  was  the  very  spot  upon  which  Rudolph  had 
witnessed  the  unaccountable  appearance.  They  paused 
a  moment,  but  seeing  nothing  crept  silently  forward, 
when  they  came  in  view  of  an  Indian  camp. 

From  a  heap  of  faggots  the  smoke  curled  lazily 
upwards  through  the  trees,  and  near  the  fire  stood  a 
wigwam.  An  old  squaw  was  stirring  the  contents  of 
a  kettle  suspended  over  the  blaze,  while  two  Indians 
sat  upon  their  haunches  conversing  in  the  broken  jar- 
gon of  their  native  tongue. 

The  three  men  lay  motionless  in  a  thicket  that 
screened  them,  fearing  to  move  lest  they  should  be  dis- 
covered. In  a  few  minutes,  however,  the  two  unsus- 
pecting Indians  arore,  and  taking  their  rifles  that  lay 
across  a  fallen  tree,  left  the  camp. 

"Now's  our  time,"  whispered  one  of  the  men."  The 
squaw  will  see  us  if  we  move  and  give  the  alarm." 

"We  must  be  cautious,  for  there  may  be  Indians 
enough  in  the  vicinity  to  outnumber  us,"  observed 
Arthur. 

"That's  true,  but  we  must  get  out  of  this;  suppose 
we  gag  the  woman  and  tie  her  to  a  tree." 


D. 


A  STORY  OF  THE  BA  TTLE  OF  LAK 


'  i.>  r  ^ 


6y 


o  proceed, 
ne  bushes. 
f  the  way. 
[ecca  of  his 


ing  among 

e. 


idolph  had 
hey  paused 
ly   forward, 

P- 

urled  lazily 
fire  stood  a 
contents  of 
wo  Indians 
broken  jar- 

licket  that 
)uld  be  dis- 
Itvvo  unsus- 
|es  that  lay 

len."  The 
ilarm." 
I  be  Indians 
''  observed 

lis;  suppose 


Tiie  woman  stood  with  her  back  toward  the  thicket 
where  the  men-  were  concealed,  and  rising  they  ad- 
vanced stealthily  towards  her. 

Wliile  making  his  way  through  a  mass  of  under- 
growth Arthur's  feet  slipped  from  beneath  him,  and 
he  sank  through  an  opening  in  the  ground.  He  felt  a 
rush  of  cold  air  and  stifling  darkness  about  him,  but 
after  descending  several  feet  struck  upon  the  floor  of 
a  cavern.  A  torch  was  burning  wilhin,  and  half  dazed 
witli  his  fall,  and  the  discovery  to  which  it  had  led  he 
groped  his  way  toward  the  light.  The  cavern  appeared 
long  and  wide,  and  myriads  of  stalactites  glistened 
overhead.  The  farther  extremity  was  apparently 
bounded  by  a  wall  of  abrupt  rocks,  beneath  which  a 
crvstal  lake  seemed  to  lead  away  into  unexplored  pas- 
sages througli  and  under  the  shelving  wall.  All  this 
he  took  in  at  a  glance,  and  having  recovered  himself, 
Arthur  hastily  retraced  his  steps  toward  the  spot  where 
he  had  so  abruptly  descended.  He  saw  a  glimmer  of 
daylight,  and  by  the  aid  of  a  pole  let  down  by  his 
companions  from  above,  clambered  to  the  surface. 
Unaware  of  danger,  the  squaw  still  bent  over  the 
steaming  pottage  with  her  back  toward  the  approach- 
ing pale  faces.  She  was  seized,  securely  bound  to 
a  trte,  and  a  handkerchief  tied  over  her  mouth  to  pre- 
vent an  outcry.  The  men  were  turning  to  leave  the 
spot,  when  they  saw  tw^o  more  squaws  approaching. 
"We'll  have  to  nab  them  too,  observed  one  of  the 
number  or  they'll  make  us  trouble." 

They  crept  once  more  into  the  bushes. 

"One  is  a   white   woman — sure  as  fate!"   he  con- 
tinued under  his  breath,  peeping  from  the  covert. 


11 


Sn       ' 


H» 


!;J 


111  M; 


ill 


m 


11. 

I  'llMi 


m 
mi 


(ill 

Mil 
■lih 


1  ; 

nil 


64 


VISITORS  PROM  ANOTHER  WORLD. 


Arthur  looked  cautiously  over  a  log  behind  which 
he  lay. 

"Great  heavens!"  he  exclaimed.  "The  white  spirit 
— Nellie  Wilder!"  and  forgetful  of  danger  he  sprang 
to  hio  feet. 

Yeb,  it  was  indeed,  her  face  and  form,  just  as  he  had 
known  her  in  life; no  change  was  observable  excepting 
in  attire,  her  sligiit  form  being  clothed  in  the  Indian 
costume. 

"O,  Arthur!  Arthur!"  she  exclaimed,  holding  out 
both  hands  while  a  glad,  tumultuous  light  shone  in  her 
eyes.  "Don't  you  know  me,  Arthur?"  for  he  stood 
as  if  spell-bound. 

He  had  wished,  aye  prayed  to  behold  the  spirit  of 
his  lost  love;  was  this  the  fulfilment  of  his  wish — the 
answer  to  his  prayer? 

But  the  hands  that  clasped  his  were  pulsating  with 
the  swift  warm  current  of  life;  the  form  was  not  that  of 
an  etherealized  being,  while  a  tint  of  rose  touched  the 
rounded  checks  slightly  browned  by  exposure. 

"Nellie,  in  Heaven's  name,  tell  me,  is  this  you  or 
your  spirit?" 

"It  is  I,  Arthur,  I  have  lived  among  the  Indians 
ever  since  I  was  stolen  away,  and  oh,  I  am  so  glad  that 
you  have  found  me  at  last." 

Was  it  reality?  Arthur  drew  his  hand  across  his 
eyes,  his  brain  whirled  and  he  grew  faint.  During 
this  scene  the  squaw  was  secured  by  the  two  men  who 
now  stood^  regarding  with  astonishment  this  meeting 
between  Arthur  and  the  unknown  beautiful  girl  who 
had  so  mysteriously  appeared  amid  that  scene  of  wild- 
ness  and  solitude. 


D. 

lind  which 

vhite  spirit 
he  sprang 

t  as  he  had 

;  excepting 

the  Indian 

lolding  out 
lione  in  her 
)r  he   stood 

he  spirit  of 
\   wish — the 

sating  with 
not  that  of 
ouched  the 

lire, 
this  you  or 

the   Indians 
so  glad  that 

d  across  his 
During 
o  men  who 
lis  meeting 
ful  girl  who 
ene  of  wild- 


A  STOR  Y  OF  THE  BA  TTLE  OF  LAKE  ERIE, 


65 


"But  Nellie,"  insisted  Arthur,  unable  to  grasp  the 
truth,  "I  thought  you  were  devoured  by  wild  beasts?" 

"I  will  tell  you  all.  J^ut  come,  she  said  with  sud- 
den terror.  If  the  Indians  find  you  here  they  will  kill 
vou.  They  are  four  times  your  number.  Oh,  what 
shall  we  do?" 

"Come  with  me."  Arthur  clasped  the  girl's  hand, 
and  the  whole  party  set  out  for  the  shore  where  the 
boat  was  secured. 

Tliey  had  just  shoved  it  into  the  water  when  a  yell 
l)ruke  from  tiie  forest.     Their    flight    was   discovered. 

"Oh,  haste  !   Haste  !"  exclaimed  Nellie, 

"You  will  not  let  them  take  me,  Arthur?" 

"Not  until  they  have  first  taken  my  life. 

In  a  moment  they  were  in  the  boat,  and  in  answer 
to  long  and  vigorous  strokes  the  light  craft  shot  like 
an  arrow  through  the  water.  A  crack  of  tire-arms 
soundfd  from  shore  and  several  bullets  struck  the 
water  that  swept  by  them.  Another  volley  soon  fol- 
lowed, but  the  bullets  fell  short.  The  boat  had  passed 
beyond  the  enemy's  line  and  was  speeding  toward  the 
peninsula.  Though  greatly  disappointed  at  the  loss 
of  their  game,  the  savages  showed  no  disposition  to 
follow,  and  the  suspense  was  over. 

"Now,  Nellie,  tell  me  how  this  has  come  about;  I 
c  annot  understand,"  said  Arthur,  holding  closely  her 
hands,  as  if  he  feared  that  she  might  yet  vanish  from 
his  sight. 

"1  was  captured  by  Indians  while  on  my  way  to 
the  hunter's  cabin,"  said  Nellie.  "They  were  travel- 
ling towards  the  west  and  took  me  with  them." 

"Well,  but  we  found  a  pool  of  blood    with  tangled 


QQ 


VISITORS  FROM  ANOTHER  WORLD. 


''m': 


.:■'' 


[11;!: 


'I 


i  1^ 


tresses  of  hair  and  shreds  of   clothing   about  it,  which 
we  knew  to  be  yours." 

"Yes,  they  took  away  from  me  my  clothing  and 
dressed  me  Hke  an  Indian  maiden.  They  had  killed  a 
deer,  and  the  ground  where  it  had  fallen  was  satu- 
rated with  blood.  They  tore  my  clothing  into  strips, 
cut  off  some  of  my  hair,  and  trampled  them  into  the 
pool  of  blood.  I  saw  and  knew  that  it  was  done  to 
make  it  appear  that  1  had  been  torn  to  pieces  by  wild 
animals." 

"But,  Nellie,  we  overhauled  that  band  of  Indians  the 
next  day,  and  you  were  not  to  be  found  among  them." 

"Yes,"  she  replied,  "but  the  band  separated,  part 
going  by  another  way  and  taking  me  along.  I  think 
that  it  was  done  to  get  their  white  pursuers  off  the 
track,  for  the  two  divisions  afterwards  came  together. 

"We  travelled  several  days,  finally  camping  upon 
the  shore  of  the  lake,  where  we  remained  three  or 
four  months,  then  crossed  in  canoes  to  the  islands, 
where  they  have  kept  me  ever  since," 

"I  tried  to  escape,  but  found  it  impossible,  so 
closelv  watched  was  I. 

"An  old  squaw  took  charge  ot  me,  and  I  grew 
to  regard  her  as  a  friend  and  protector.  But  the 
chief  of  the  band  wished  me  to  marry  his  son  Che- 
wipsa,  a  young  warrior.  I  refused  and  Chewipsa 
went  away  to  light  the  pale  faces,  but  they  made  me 
understand  that  when  he  returned,  I  was  to  be  forced 
into  marriage  with  him.  The  time  had  come  for  his 
return,  and  I  cried  and  prayed  every  day  that  1  might 
be  delivered  from  such  a  fate. 

"One  night  1  dreamed  that  I  saw  you  on  board  a 


D. 

t  it,  which 

othing  and 
lad  killed  a 
I  was  satu- 
into  strips, 
im  into  the 
.vas  done  to 
:ces  by  wild 

\  Indians  the 

lonii  them.'* 

)arated,  part 

ng.     I  think 

iuers  off  the 

ne  together. 

mping  upon 

ed   three  or 

the  islands, 

possible,    so 

and  I  grew 
)r.  r3ut  the 
lis  son  Che- 
Chewipsa 
lev  made  me 
to  be  forced 
;ome  for  his 
that  1  might 

.  on  board  a 


A  STORY  OF  THE  BATTLE  OF  LAKE  ERLE. 


67 


vessel  bound  up  the  lake.  The  next  day  a  fleet  bear- 
ing the  American  colors  put  into  the  bay.  I  tried  to 
escape  to  those  vessels,  but  my  captors  secreted 
themselves  and  me  in  a  large  cave,  near  the  place 
where  you  found  me — the  entrance  being  concealed  so 
as  not  to  be  easily  discovered. 

"One  day  there  was  heavy  firing  and  I  knew  that 
a  battle  was  being  fought  on  the  lake.  We  remained 
several  days  in  the  cave,  and  when  we  came  out  the 
vessels  were  gone." 

Arthur  in  turn  related  his  story,  to  which  Nellie 
listened  with  a  look  of  wonder. 

"Now  you  will  not  think  it  strange  that  I  should 
have  regarded  you  as  a  visitor  from  another  world 
when  I  met  you  in  the  woods,"  he  added  after  the  nar- 
ration. 

"And,  Nellie,  1  should  never  have  known  the  joy 
which  I  now  possess,  deep  and  unbounded,  if  I  had  not 
suffered  so. 

"The  same  Providence  that  preserved  my  life,  the 
life  that  I  fain  would  have  cast  away  as  broken  and 
useless,  has  brought  us  together,  Nellie." 

Thus  speaking,  a  silent  prayer  of  thankfulness 
went  upwards  from  the  two  united  hearts  to  the  great 
Father  of  Mysteries. 

But  little  more  remains  to  be  told.  Arthur  Holmes 
and  Nellie  Wilder  returned  to  their  respective  places 
of  abode,  and  with  the  dawn  of  national  peace  and 
prosperity  which  followed  Perry's  victory  on  Lake 
Erie,  they  were  sealed  in  a  solemn  compact  of  love 
and  faith  which  through  the  sunshine  and  shadow  of 
their  subsequent  lives  remained  unbroken. 


A  NOTABLE  CONSPIRACY. 


Capture  of  the  Steamers  Philo  Parsons  and  Island  Queen* 


i 


liiiliil 


Lyin<]j  as  they  do  on  the  boundary  line  of  two 
countries,  the  Lake  Erie  islands  are  destined  to  figure 
conspicuously  on  the  page  of  future  history,  and  in 
time  may  rival  in  tales  of  war  and  romance  the  cas- 
tled and  fortressed  shores  of  Germany's  famed  Rhine 
river  and  other  renowned  frontiers  of  countries  and 
kinsrdoms.  In  the  event  of  war  with  Great  Britain 
these  islands  would  fall  an  easy  prey  to  British  and  Can- 
adian cruisers,  and  would  also  afford  convenient  skulking 
places  for  spies  and  plotters.  Already  have  they  be- 
come historic,  not  only  as  the  scene  of  Perry's  victory 
in  I  Si  3,  but  also  as  the  hatching  ground  of  plots  and 
conspiracies  during  the  war  of  the  rebellion. 

Old  residents  of  Put-in-Bay  and  neighbaring  isles 
still  take  interest  in  an  occasional  review  of  remin- 
iscences connected  with  the  notable  conspiracy  of  John 
Yates  Beale  and  his  abettors  in  1864,  the  object  of 
which  was  the  liberation  of  rebel  oflicers — 3,000  in 
number — confined  as  prisoners  on  Johnson's  Island; 
the  rading  and  capture  of  oandusky  and  other  lake 
towns,  and  the  devastation  of  Northern  Ohio  by  armed 
Confederates  and  their  allies.  The  plot,  its  attemped 
fulfillment,  its  timely  discovery  and  subsequent  failure, 


ili'ii' 


A  NOTABLE  COXSPIRACY. 


60 


:y. 

id  Queen. 


le  of  two 
I  to  figure 
■y,  and   in 
e  the  cas- 
ned  Rhine 
ntries  and 
eat  Britain 
1  and  Can- 
It  skulking 
e  they  be- 
^''s  victory 
plots  and 

oring  isles 
of  remin- 
cy  of  John 
object  of 
-3,000  in 
's  Island; 
ther  lake 
by  armed 
attemped 
-nt  failure, 


are  facts  of  historic  record,  a  reiteration  of  which  is 
not  the  object  of  the  following  narration,  excepting  so 
far  as  concerns  their  bearing  on  local  incidents  and 
reminiscence.  From  a  local  point  of  view,  therefore, 
the  event  will  here  be  considered,  thus  perhaps  bring- 
ing to  light  matter  of  interest  which  has  escaped  the 
general  delineator  of  history. 

Wry  quit't  for  a  summer  resort  was  Put- in- Bay  at 
the  time  of  which  we  write — a  fact  due  in  part  to  the 
lateness  of  tlu^  season  and  consequent  withdrawal  of 
summer  gut'sts,  and  partly  to  a  deficit  in  the  island's 
male  population  occasirined  by  the  absence  of  a  lai  ge 
proportion  of  able-bodied  men,  then  doing  duty  in  the 
ranks  of  the  Union  army  on  Southern  soil. 

September  19th,  1864,  dawned  serenely  over 
stretches  of  purpling  vineyard  and  orchards  full 
fruited.  Old  men  and  boys,  women  and  children  were 
early  at  their  work  gathering  the  luscious  clusters  and 
heaping  the  measure  with  orchard  fruits. 

The  morning  steamer  cleared  from  the  wharves  on 
her  usual  daily  trip  to  Sandusky,  and  no  suspicion  of 
brooding  danger  threatening  the  peace  of  island  homes 
or  that  of  the  nation  entered  the  minds  of  island 
dwellers.  True,  there  had  been  reported  among 
visitors  to  the  place,  a  few  days  before,  individuals 
who  had  acted  strangely  and  said  some  queer  things 
concerning  the  war,  its  prospects  and  the  relations  of 
North  and  South,  hmting  darkly  of  what  'might' 
happen.  These  individuals  were  spotted  as  'rebel 
sympathizers,'  if  not  as  genuine  rebels.  No  special 
importance  was  attached  to  the  circumstance  of  their 
presence  on  the  island,  however,  until  afterwards. 


70 


A  NOTABLE  CONSPIRACY. 


W       V 


M  \\l 


!!|il- 


Late  in  the  afternoon  of  the  day  above  specified, 
the  steamer  Phiio  Parsons,  of  the  Detroit,  Island  & 
SanduL-ky  line,  landed  at  Wehrle's  dock.  Middle 
Bass,  distant  a  mile  or  so  from  the  "Bay."  At  the 
latter  place  the  usual  crowd  of  interested  parties  and 
dock  loungers  awaited  the  steamer's  arrival,  but  as 
she  showed  no  signs  of  putting  off  from  Middle  Bass 
some  debate  as  to  the  cause  of  her  aetention  was  ex- 
cited. A  little  later  the  steamer  Island  Queen,  which 
had  left  Put-in-Bcjy  in  the  morning,  was  seen  thread- 
ing her  way  through  the  channel  to  Wehrle's,  and 
soon  the  two  steamers  lay  side  by  side. 

Darkness  fell  and  the  crowd  on  the  docks  at  Put- 
in-Ba}?^  increased.  Both  the  Philo  Parsons  and  Island 
Queen  were  expected  to  touch,  one  on  her  way  to  De- 
troit, the  other  bound  for  Toledo.  Both  were  long 
overdu'".  No  telephone  or  telegraph  cable  connected 
the  islands  as  now,  and  no  messages  could  be  ex- 
changed. It  was  proposed  to  send  a  boat  across  with 
a  committee  of  investigation,  but  nobody  volunteered 
to  go.  Some  were  awaiting  expected  friends,  others 
the  evening  mail  or  parcels  from  the  city.  Weary  of 
delay,  the  less  curious  and  anxious  of  the  crowd 
finally  dispersed  to  their  homes  and  turned  in  for  the 
night.  Scarcely  had  they  closed  their  eyes  in  slumber, 
however,  when  each  in  turn  was  startled  by  a 
thundering  knock  at  his  door. 

To  the  query:  "Who's  there,  and  what's 
wanted?"  came  the  astounding  reply: 

"Get  up  !  The  steamers  Island  Queen  and  Philo 
Parsons  are  in  the  hands  of  the  rebels  !  Secrete  your 
money    and  valuables,  and  if  you  have  any  fire  arms 


A  NOTAnLE  COXSPIRACV. 


Decified, 
sland  & 

Middle 

At  the 
ties  and 
I,  but  as 
ile  Bass 

was  ex- 
n,  which 
i  thread- 
le's,  and 

s  at  Put- 
nd  Island 
ly  to  De- 
^ere   long 
ponnected 
d  be  ex- 
ross  with 
(lunteered 
is,  others 
Weary  of 
he  crowd 

in  for  the 
slumber, 

ed    by    a 

what's 

land  Philo 
:rete  your 
fire  arms 


or  ammunition  in   the   house,   *^el   them   together  and 
hurry  to  the  Bay." 

From  house  to  house  swiftly  sped  the  mesfcenger, 
and  silently  stealing  through  th*;  night  from  every  part  of 
the  i>iand  flitting  shadows  might  have  been    seen   of 
men  and  often  of  women  and  children  with  frightened 
f.icts  all  hurr^'ing  toward  the  bay  center.     The  news 
which  had  thus  aroused    the  island   fron^  i:4-inter  to  cir- 
tunifereTice     was     communicated     by     Capt.    George 
Magle,  a  passenger   of  the  Island  Queen,    who,  under 
cover  of    darkness    had   crossed    from    Mid-die   Bass. 
Capt.  Magle  stated  that   a  large   force  of  men,  armed 
to  tlie  leeth,  had    taken    possession    of  botfi   steamers, 
and  that  the   oflicers,  c?-ew  and    passengers  were  held 
as  prisoners,  though  the   latter   were  finally  allowed  to 
go  ashore  at   Middle   Bass,  after  a   promise   had  been 
exacted  from  each   to  divulge    nothing   concerning  the 
occurrence  for   twenty-four   hours — a   promise   which 
in  numerous  instances  was  quickly  broken. 

Certain  of  the  passengers  had  gathered  from 
words  let  fall  by  the  conspirators,  that  their  object 
was  the  capture  of  the  United  States  gunboat  Mich- 
igan, then  lying  in  S^mdusk}'  Bay,  and  the  liberation 
of  the  prisoners  on  Johnson's  Island.  These  move- 
ments, tojrether  with  the  uncertainty  of  their  results, 
tilled  with  forebodiiiir  the  minds  of  island  dwellers. 
l>y  comn::on  impulse,  people  gathered  to  the  Bay  from 
Middle  Bass  and  Isle  St.  George,  and  excitement 
knew  no  bounds. 

A  military  company  was  hastily  organized,  and 
Capt.  John  Brown,  jr.,  son  of  old  John  Brown,  of  Har- 
per's Ferry  fame,  who  resided  on  the  island,  was  chosen 


f 


72 


A  NO  I  ABLE  CONSPIRACY. 


I 


Iji 


m 


IS; 

■  '  I 

!  il 


m 


I  ill 


:  1 

i 

j.  :   i 

i  'i 

1 

'  '  i 

! 

its  commander,  and  every  available  man  was  enrolled 
withm  its  ranks.     The  members  of  this  brigade  were 

variously  a  c  c  o  u- 
te  red.  Captain 
Br  o  w  n  possessed 
in  his  own  rioht 
quite  an  arsenal  of 
weapons,  some  of 
which  had  been 
u-;ed  by  his  fathei 
and  other  members 
of  the  lirovvn  fam- 
ily in  their  raids 
and  sk  i  rm  i  she  s. 
These  were  dis- 
tributed a  m  on  g 
the  men,  together 
with  a  nondescript 
assortment  of 
muskets,  breech- 
loading    r  i  fl  e  s  , 

U.   S.  GUNBOAT  MICHIGAN,  Geo,  Kerry.     Springfield      rifleS, 

shot  guns,  revolvers  and  horse  pistols. 

The  old  "Perry  victory"  cannon — which  ever 
since  the  war  of  1812  had  kept  watch  and  ward  over 
the  island — was  wheeled  into  position,  commanding 
the  wharves  and  heavily  charged  with  powder,  gravel 
and  old  iron. 

Meantime  wagons  were  driving  about  like  "Jehu," 
conveying  goods  from  stores  and  private  dwellings  to 
the  thick  woodlands  of  the  west  shore,  where  they 
were  secreted.     Old   stumps   and  hollow   logs  were 


Hi 


A  NOTABLE  CONSPIRACY. 


73 


IS  enrolled 
gade  were 
V   a  c  c  o  u- 
Captain 
possessed 
own    right 
J  arsenal  of 
s,  some   of 
had    been 
,•  his  father 
er  members 
irovvn  fam- 
their   raids 
i  rm  i  she  s. 
vvt're     dis- 
id    among 
;n,  together 
nondescript 
t  m  e  n  t     of 
s,     breech- 
1  (T    r  i  fl  e  s  . 
field    rifles, 

'hich    ever 

ward  over 

>mmanding 

?der,  gravel 

lilve  "Jehu," 
[vvellings  to 
here   they 
logs  were 


■ 


Utilized  as  banks  of  deposit  for  money,  jewels  and  val- 
uables of  all  sorts,  wliile  the  numerous  caves  which 
perforate  the  island's  sub-strata  of  limestone  afforded 
refu^i'e  for  the  vveal<-kneed  and  faint  of  heart.  Into 
these  retreats,  it  is  said,  crowded  the  "Copperheads" 
as  the  soutliern  sympathizers  were  then  called — and 
so  demoralized  with  fright  were  they,  it  is  averred, 
that  the}'  did  not  emerge  for  three  days. 

To  the  inhabitants  of  Put-in-Bay  the  night  which 
followed  the  fh-st  news  of  the  plot  was  fraught  with 
ill!  the  tragedy  of  war.  The  air  was  filled  with  flying 
and  exaggerated  rumors;  the  suspense  was  painfui; 
women  grew  nervous  with  apprehension  and  no 
thought  of  sleep  was  entertained. 

As  soon  as  practicable,  news  of  the  capture  was 
sent  to  the  commanding  oflicer  of  the  guard  on  John- 
son's island — a  deputation  selected  for  the  purpose 
bearing;  ihe  message  and  proceeding  by  boat  across  to 
the  peninsula,  and  thence  to  the  island  lying  just  be- 
yond in  Sandusky  Bay. 

During  the  time  that  Put-in-Bay  was  under  arms, 
two  alarms  were  reported.  The  first  occurred  at  the 
old  "South  dock."  In  the  distribution  of  guards,  two 
men  had  been  picketed  at  that  place.  One  was  armed 
with  a  rifle,  the  othe*-  brandished  an  old  musket.  The 
men  had  been  lying  under  a  tree,  when  they  per- 
ceived a  squad  of  men  approaching.  One  of  the 
guards  grew  alarmed  and  wanted  to  run,  but  was 
rallied  b}'  his  comrade.  Together  they  faced  the 
marauders,  and  in  true  military  style  demanded  the 
countersign.  The  strangers  couldn't  give  the  coun- 
tersign, but  the   spokesman  of  the  party  reported  as 


74 


A  NOTABLE  CONSPIRACY. 


f  it 


captain  of  a  small  trading  vessel  anchored  off  shore, 
accompanied  by  his  crew,  and  the  new-comers  were 
allowed  to  pass  without  molestation. 

The  second  alarm  occurred  in  the  early  dawn  of 
morning,  when  a  vessel  entered  the  bay  and  cast 
anchor  under  the  shadow  of  Gibraltar  Island.  Imagi- 
nation had  played  wild  pranks  during  the  night,  and 
become  highly  wrought.  By  its  aid  in  the  dim,  uncer- 
tain light,  the  strange  craft  was  readily  resolved  into  a 
piratical  cruiser  upon  evil  intent.  The  shore  battery 
was  brought  to  bear  upon  her,  and  other  prepnrations 
made  for  a  gallant  defense.  The  guards  felt  shaky, 
but  anxious  to  ascertain  the  intruder's  designs,  a  boat 
was  manned  and  sent  out  to  hail  hei .  The  first  coun- 
tenance that  appeared  over  the  "cruiser's"  railing  as 
they  approached  was  that  of  a  well  known  sailor  and 
fisherman — Meachem  bv  name — a  resident  of  the  is- 
land.  By  this  sign  they  knew  that  their  fears  were 
groundless,  and  that  the  vessel  was  an  unoffending  fre- 
quenter of  the  island  waters. 

Wiih  the  approach  of  day,  all  eyes  were  turned 
expectantly  in  the  direction  of  Johnson's  Island  and 
Sandusky,  and  at  6  a.  m.  a  report  gained  circulation 
that  during  the  night  the  steamer  Parsons  had  been 
sighted  heading  for  the  Detroit  river;  and  from  the 
way  that  her  chimneys  threw  smoke  it  was  evident 
that  steam  was  being  crowded.  From  this  circum- 
stance the  islanders  judged  that  the  plot  had  failed,  and 
the  conspirators  were  trying  to  make  good  their  escape. 

The  island  military  now  grew  very  brave,  and  dis- 
banding, went  home  to  breakfast,  which  was  dis- 
patched with  a  relish.     Later  in  the  day  a  tug  arrived 


td  off  shore, 
-comers  vere 

arly  dawn  of 
rdy  and  cast 
and.  Imagi- 
le  night,  and 
le  dim,  uncer- 
esolved  into  a 
shore  battery 
•  preparations 
ds  felt  shaky, 
isigns,  a  boat 
'he  first  coun- 
's"  raiHng  as 
vvn  sailor  and 
ent  of  the  is- 
lir  fears  were 
loffending  fre- 


were  turned 
I's  Island  and 
ed  circulation 
ions  had  been 
and  from  the 
t  was  evident 
I  this  circum- 
had  failed,  and 
d  their  escape. 
Drave,  and  dis- 
lich  was  dis- 
r  a  tug  arrived 


Ci 


H 


lU 


A  NOTABLE  CONSPIRACY. 


75 


o 

•a 


< 

ll.' 

X 

I- 

es 
z 
£ 

a 

a 
z 

< 

I/) 

(A 

2 

O 
(/> 

z 

I 
o 


2 

o 
o 

u. 

Uil 

X 


from  Sandusky,  bringing  definite  news  of  the  plot  and 
its  failure,  and  bearing  dispatches  stating  that  the 
ollicers  of  the  Island  Queen,  who  had  been  carried 
away  as  prisoners  on  the  Parsons,  were  safe  landed 
and  on  their  way  home. 

Concerning  the  capture  of  the  boats,  Capt.  Geo.  W. 
(Jrr,  master  of  the  Island  Queen,  tells  an  interesting 
story.  Captain  Orr  is  now  a  man  of  about  eighty 
years,  though  apparently  younger,  and  still  exhibits 
the  nre  and  energy  which  characterized  his  spirited  re- 
sistance of  his  captors,  to  whom  at  the  muzzle  of  a 
revolver  he  was  forced  to  yield.  Captain  Orr  is  a 
summer  resident  of  Put-in-Iiay  at  *the  present  time, 
owning  and  occupying  with  his  family  a  pretty  cottage 
environed  with  shrubbery,  orchard  and  vineyard. 
Following  is  his  account,  as  furnished  the  writer : 

"I  had  no  personal  knowledge  of  the  capture  ot  the 
steamer  Philo  Parsons  by  the  same  men  a  few  hours 
before  the  taking  of  the  Queen,  but  according  to  the 
statement  made  me  by  Captain  Atwood,  master  of  the 
Parsons,  the  latter  left  Detroit  on  the  morning  of 
September  19th.  On  her  way  down  she  stopped  at 
Sandwich,  on  the  Canadian  side,  when  some  ten  or 
twelve  men  got  on  board  as  passengers  for  Sandusky. 
Leaving  there  she  touched  at  Amherstburg  on  the 
same  side,  and  there  twelve  or  fifteen  more  men  got  on 
hoard,  also  as  passengers  for  Sandusky.  Amongst  the 
baggage  here  taken  on  w^as  a  large,  old  fashioned 
trunk  covered  with  sole  leather,  which  afterwards 
proved  to  contain  a  quantity  of  revolvers,  hatchets, 
pistols  and  bowie  knives.  Leaving  Amherstburg  the 
steamer   came  direct  to   Put-in-Bay,  then   to  Middle 


1 


I  I  I 


■i/ '  I 


■r  i    .1. 


76 


A  NOTABLE  CONSPIRACY. 


Bass,  wliore  Captain  Alvvood  <rot  off,  leaving  the  boat 
in  char<re  of  the  mate,  his  son-in-hiw.  Continuing  the 
trip  to  Sandusky,  the  Parsons  stopped  at  Kelley's 
Island.  Leaving  Kelley's  she  had  got  about  three- 
fourths  of  the  distance  between  that  place  and  Cedar 
Point  when  the  men  who  came  as  passengers  from 
Canada  opened  the  leather  trunk  and  arming  them- 
seh^es  at  once  took  possession  of  the  steamer,  made 
prisoners  of  the  crew,  and  compelled  them  to  navigate 
the  boat  as  their  captors  directed.  Under  their  orders 
the  Parsons  passed  into  Sandusky  bay  a  little  beyond 
Cedar  Point  to  where  a  fair  view  could  be  had  of 
Johnson's  Island.  •  A  short  stoppage  was  made,  then 
without  proceeding  further,  for  some  reason,  they  put 
about,  and  returned  to  Middle  Bass.  Before  reaching 
there  they  threw  overboard  several  tons  of  pig  iron 
which  had  been  consigned  to  Sandusky.  At  Middle 
Bass,  when  wooding,  the  steamer  Island  Queen  came 
alongside  on  her  way  from  Sandusky  to  Put-in-Bay 
and  Toledo.  Forty  or  fifty  soldiers — loo  day  men — 
who  were  going  to  Toledo  to  be  mustered  out,  were 
on  board  the  Queen,  together  with  a  large  number  of 
island  people,  making  nearly  lOO  passengers.  Here 
the  Queen  was  taken  possession  of  by  the  armed  con- 
spirators, who  leaped  aboard  from  the  Parson's  upper 
decks.  The  men  comprising  crew  and  passengers  of 
the  Queen  were  compelled  to  go  into  the  Parson's 
hold,  while  the  ladies  and  children  were  all  ordered 
into  her  upper  cabins. 

Engineer  Henry  Haines  was  ordered  out  of  the 
engine  room,  and  told  that  if  he  did  not  ccme  they 
would  shoot  him.     He  refused  and  they  shot  him  in 


A  NOTABLE  CONSPIRACY. 


•  the  boat 
nuing  the 
:  Kelley's 
)ut  three- 
nd  Cedar 
irers  from 
ing  ihem- 
ner,  made 
o  navigate 
leir  orders 
tie  beyond 
be  had  of 
lade,   then 
1,  they  put 
e  reaching 
pf   pig  iron 
At   Middle 
ueen  came 
ut-in-Bay 
ay  men — 
out,  were 
number  of 
rs.     Here 
lirmed  con- 
lOn's  upper 
sengers  of 
Parson's 
,11  ordered 

)ut   of  the 

Iccne  they 

lot  him  in 


the  face,  causing  a  flesli  wound  and  filling  his  face  with 

powder. 

A  few  minutes  later   I   was  ordered  up  from  the 

hold  and  taken  on  board  the  Queen,  where  the  leader 

of  tlie  'ifang  demanded  the  boat's  papers. 

'Whotn  am  I  giving  them  to?"  I  enquired. 

"1  am  Lieutenant  Beale  of  the  Confederate  Navv\" 

"What  do  \'0u  want  with  the  papers.'"' 

"We  want  to  send  them  as  trophies  to  Jeff  Davis." 

"You  can't  run   the  boat  without   the  papers,"  I 

then  said. 

"The  boat  isn't  going  to  run  much  longer,"  was 

the  reply. 

"I  told  him  that  the  papers  were  in  the  office, 
which,  when  we  reached,  we  found  had  been  broken 
open,  the  papers  scattered  about  the  floor  and  the 
monev  drawer  rifled." 

"1  asked  him  what  he  was  going  to  do  with  the 
women  and  children  who  were  up  in  the  Parsons 
cabin.  He  said  that  they  would  be  put  ashore  on 
Middle  Bass,  and  that  he  should  require  of  them  an 
obligation  not  to  divulge  anything  in  regard  to  the 
matter  for  twenty-four  hours.  I  told  him  that  I  had 
three  children  in  the  cabin,  that  I  knew  most  of  the 
others,  and  would  like  to  go  up  and  see  them,  and  he 
went  with  me. 

"  He  then  placed  the  clerk,  William  Hamilton,  En- 
gineer Haint^s  and  myself  under  guard,  and  calling 
together  all  the  prisoners,  made  them  promise  to  say 
nothing  of  the  affair  until  after  the  time  specified.  I 
wanted  to  go  ashore  with  the  others,  but  the  guard 
would  not  let  me  off. 


m 


18 


A  NOTABLE  CONSPIRACY. 


l\V:\f\\ 


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' 


iiiii':ii|:!J 


"  The  leader  then  ordered  the  Parsons  to  get  under 
way  the  Queen  lashed  to  her  side.  When  about  half 
a  mile  southeast  of  Ballast  island  the  boats  came  to  a 
stop.  Lieut.  Beale  th^-:n  ordered  the  Queen's  3'awl- 
boat  lowered  and  taken  in  charj^e  of  the  Parsons;  this 
done,  he  ordered  the  former  scuttled. 

"I  asked  permission  to  ^o  and  get  the  Queen's 
books,  as  they  would  be  of  use  to  tiie  owners. 

'^  'The  books  are  all  right  where  tliey  are,'  was  the 
reply. 

"'They  are  going  to  destroy  the  l)i),it,'  I  insisted 
"  'I  guess  not,'  answered  the  guatd. 
*' A  man  then  caine  up  out  of  the  hold  and  said  that 
he  had  cut  the  steamtr's  feed  pipe,  and  that  the  water 
was  coming  in  fast.  Then  they  cast  off  her  lines  and 
let  her  go  adrift  in  the  darkness,  and  the  l*arsons  was 
headed  for  Sandusky.  When  within  a  mile  of  the 
outside  channel  buoy,  at  the  mouth  of  the  bay,  we 
hove  to.  I  was  called  out  of  the  cabin,  and  Lieut. 
Beale  asked  me  whether  1  had  heard  of  any  report 
that  a  raid  from  Canada  was  going  to  be  made  on 
Johnson's  Island.     I  told  him  I  had  not. 

"it  was  then  about  10  p.  m.  The  U.  S.  gunboat 
Michigan  lay  off  Johnson's  Island,  her  black  hull  gloom- 
ing through  the  night.  The  plotters  were  awaiting 
signals  evidently  which  failed  to  appear.  Three  or 
four  of  the  leaders  went  aside  and  held  a  consultation, 
and  I  overheard  Lieut.  Beale  say  to  the  men: 

"  'I  have  a  notion  to  make  the  attempt,  anyhow.' 
"They  waited  about  a  half  an    hour   longer,  and 
then  headed   back  up  the  lake,  and  the  Parsons  was 
put  under  crowded   steam.      There  were  lots  of  old 


I!  I 


A  NOTABLE  CO.\S/'fRACV. 


70 


t  under 
)ut  half 
le  to  a 
;  yawl- 
is;  this 

Liueen's 

was  the 

>isle(l 

said  that 
le  water 
lines  and 
>?ons  was 
of    the 
bay,  we 
Lieut, 
y  report 
made  on 

gunboat 
I  gloom- 
awaiting 
'hree  or 
sultation, 


y* 


how.' 
ger,  and 
sons  was 
ts  of  old 


coal  oil  barrels  aboard,  and  the  boiler  was  kept  in  a 
tremendous  heal.  Tlu*  first  halt  was  made  in  the 
Detroit  river  just  abovf  Amherstburg;  off  that  place 
a  numbtr  (jf  men  got  into  the  Queen's  yawl  and  went 
ashore.  The  next  stop  was  madr  about  daylight  at 
"pi'diting  Island,  '  a  inarshv  strip  of  land  .d)Out  four 
or  li\  ■  miles  long,  uiiinhabilcd  at  the  lime.  Tiiere  they 
put  us  ,1-^ho.e. 


STEAMER  ISLAND  QUEEN.  ^ 

"I  told  them  we  had  rather  be  landed  on  the  main 
shore.     They  said  the}'  had  rather  we  wouldn't." 

"Leaving  us,  they  continued  on  up  the  river  to 
Sandwich,  where,  after  removing  the  piano  and  other 
valuables,  the  Parsons  was  set  adrift,  but  was  afterward 
picked  up  by  a  tug.  The  raiders  then  scattered  into 
Canada  as  fast  as  possible. 

"Hamilton,  Ilaines,  and  myself  remained  on  Fight- 
ing Island  about  two   hours,  when  a  fisherman  passed 


V^^'^V'^o. 


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Photographic 

Sciences 

Corfwration 


23  WEST  MAIN  STREET 

WEBSTER,  N.Y.  14580 

(716)  •72-4503 


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80 


A  XOTABLE  CONSPIRACY. 


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in  a  boat.  We  signaled  him  in,  and  got  him  to  set  us 
across  u|)on  the  American  side,  where  we  took  the  cars 
for  Sandusky,  going  by  tlie  way  of  Monroeville,  at 
which  phice  I  learned  on  arriving  thit  the  Island  Queen 
had  grounded  upon  'Chickanola  reef.'  I  at  once  tele- 
graphed to  Detroit  for  a  tug  and  steam  pump. 

"When  we  reached  Sandusky,  we  found  the  place 
wild  with  excitement.  While  waiting  there,  I  had  a 
plug  made  three  feet  long,  four  inches  in  diameter,  and 
tapering  to  a  point.  Next  morning  we  boarded  the 
tug  Louise  and  started  for  *Chickanola'  reef,  where  we 
found  the  Queen  sunk  in  ah  ut  ten  feet  of  water,  which 
just  covered  her  lower  decks.  Mad  the  steamer  gone 
down  in  deep  water  her  whereabouts  would  never 
have  been  known.  The  tug  and  pump  arrived  from 
Detroit,  and  at  once  they  began  to  lower  the  water. 
When  loA'  enough  so  that  I  could  get  under  the  deck, 
I  went  with  the  plug — knowing  just  where  to  find  the 
pipe — and  driving  it  in,  stopped  the  leak.  After  that 
we  soon  had  her  pumped  out  and  towed  to  Kelley 
Island,  and  none  too  soon,  for  in  an  hour  after  reach- 
ing there  it  began  blowing  a  living  gale  from  the 
west." 

As  described  by  Capt.  Orr,  John  Yates  Beale — 
who  was  afterward  captured  at  Toronto,  sentenced 
and  shot  as  a  spy  on  Governor's  Island,  New  York — 
was  a  youth  of  courageous  and  courteous  bearing, 
aged  at  the  time  of  his  execution  twenty-two  years. 

A  piece  of  paper — accidentally  or  intentionally  drop- 
ped— containing  plans  of  the  conspirators,  putting  on 
their  guard  the  officers  of  the  gunboat  Michigan  and 
the  guards  at  Johnson's  Island,  were    the  agencies,  it 


set  us 
le  cars 
ille,  at 
Queen 
e  tele- 

e  place 

had  a 
er,  and 
led  the 
lere  we 
,  which 
ir  gone 
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:  water, 
le  deck, 
find  the 

er  that 
Kelley 
reach- 

om  the 

ieale — ■ 
ntenced 
York— 
learing, 
tars, 
ly  drop- 
itting  on 
Tan  and 
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CAPT.  GEO.  W    ORR,  of  Steamer  Island  Queen, 


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A  NOTABLE  CONSPIRACY.  gj 

i.s  said,  which  arrested  in  its  incipient  stages  and 
frustrated  one  of  the  deepest-laid  plots  of  ,te  civil 
war-  a  plot,  the  success  of  which  would  undoubt- 
c.ll>-  have  caused  de^•astation  to  Northern  homes,  and 
turned  perhaps  the  chances  of  war  in  favor  o  the 
Southern  Confederacy. 


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SUMMERTIME  SAUNTERINGS 

Among:  Island  Resorts. 


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EXCUSIONISTS   ARRIVING. 


Photo  by  ijco.  Kerry. 


As  viewed  during  the  guest  and  excursion  season, 
a  livelier  place  would  be  hard  to  find  than  the  little 
center  locally  and  generally  known  as  the  "  Bay,*' 
which,  notwithstanding  its  original  incorporation  as 
"Put-in-Bay  village,"  is  never  so  called  excepting  in 
connection  with  matters  legal  or  municipal. 

At  the  ''  Bay,"  on  almost  any  day  of  the  seven, 
are  vividly  presented  panoramic  views  of  life  as  it  ap- 
pears at  a  summer  resort — interesting  alike  to  lovers 
of  gaiety,  to  sight-seekers,  to  observers  of  fashion's 
fads,  and  to  philosophical  students  of  human  nature. 


:     I:, 


^Mf 


_^^,£srf! 


*' « 


Ion  season, 
the  little 
le    "Bay," 
loration    as 
cepting  in 


|the  seven, 
Ee  as  it  ap- 

to  lovers 
If  fashion's 

nature. 


iEM3 


'if'. 


A  BIRDSEYE  VIEW. 


i| 


:$ 


SUMMERTIME  SAUNTERINGS.  88 

The  simultaneous  arrival  from  the  big  cities  of  the 
lartje  excursion  steamers,  representing  he  D.  &  C. 
and  C.  &  B.  lines,  furnishes  occasion  for  an  animated 
scene.  The  gigantic  black  hulls  of  each,  from  lower 
to  hurricane  decks,  swarm  with  passengers,  and  the 
mingling  streams  of  humanity  w  hich  pour  upon  the  piers 


EXCURSIONISTS  DEPARTING.  Photo  by  Geo.  Kerry 

from  respective  cities,  the  waiting  throng  of  interested 
spectators,  the  flutter  of  flags  and  handkerchiefs,  the 
flash  of  bright  badges  and  gilded  uniforms,  the  shouts 
and  hurrahs,  mingled  with  the  vociferations  of  hotel 
criers,  seen  and  heard  amidst  a  flourish  of  whistles, 
bursts  of  band  music,  and  pouring  clouds  of  smoke 
from  the  great  steamers,  combine  to  form  a  Bedlamic, 
yet  inspiriting  spectacle.  The  onsurging  crowds  set 
the  observer  thinking,  and  Tennyson's  "Brook"  and 
the  stream  of  humanity  get  confusedly  jumbled. 


II  B 


84  SUMMERTIME  SAUNTERINGS. 

.,       '  t    ,  "For  men  may  come,  and  men  may  go, 

But  I  go  on  forever." 

The  song  sings  itself  over  and  over,  until  you  hardly 
know  whether  it  is  the  brook  or  the  people  that  go  on 
in  such  an  unending  babble  and  rush. 

Hailing  as  do  these  excursions  from  various  por- 
tions of  the  country,  each  representative  party  has  its 
special  characteristics,  its  peculiarities  of  dress,  man- 
ners and  general  make  up.  Cleveland  and  Detroit 
crowds,  for  instance,  bear  with  them  an  atmosphere 
redolent  of  teeming  streets  and  busy  marts;  of  dim 
courts  and  gilded  palaces.  Blank,  blase^  individuals; 
women  with  inartistic  touches  of  powder  on  their 
cheeks,  and  a  proclivity  for  loudness;  merchants,  office 
clerks,  and  salesmen;  mechanics  and  artisans,  and  the 
representatives  of  organizations  civic,  military,  social, 
and  religious,  are  a  part  of  the  big  city  excursion — for 
a  glance  over  the  throng  reveals  unmistakably  the  half- 
concealed  secret  of  individual  character,  origin,  oc- 
cupation, and  belonging. 

In  excursions  from  the  extensive  farming  districts 
of  Ohio  and  Michigan  figures  conspicuously  the  knight 
of  the  plow  and  pruning  hook.  Bronzed  hands  and  a 
countenance  ruddy  and  honest  are  his.  Hints  of  live 
stock,  of  stables  and  country  mud  may  be  gathered 
from  his  appearance.  There  is  a  lingering  suspicion  of 
hayseed  upon  his  coat  collar,  and  a  suggestion  of  horse 
hair  clings  to  his  Kentucky  jeans.  At  his  side,  in 
fluffy  lawn  and  bright-ribboned  hat,  appears  the  rustic 
belle,  with  eyes  like  dew  spangles,  cheeks  that  suggest 
the  pinks  and  peonies  of  country  gardens,  and  an 
atmosphere  about  her  of  shyness  and  sweet  simplicity 
born  of  country  seclusion. 


go. 


il  you  hardly 
i  that  go  on 


various  por- 
party  has  its 
dress,  man- 
and  Detroit 
atmosphere 
irts;   of  dim 
,  individuals; 
ler   on  their 
hants,  office 
ms,  and  the 
tary,  social, 
cursion — for 
bly  the  half- 
origin,  oc- 

ing  districts 
y  the  knight 
bands  and  a 
lints  of  live 
)e  gathered 
suspicion  of 
ion  of  horse 
his  side,  in 
*s  the  rustic 
hat  suggest 
ins,  and  an 
t  simplicity 


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SUMMERTIXfE  SA  UXTE RINGS. 


65 


Arriviils  from  tlie  Dominion  of  her  Majesty,  Queen 
Victoria,  across  the  lake,  are  occasional.  The  "Ka- 
niu  ks"  have  a  style  of  their  own.  While  not  exactly 
foreign  in  appearance,  their  manners  and  speech  are 
somewhat  Frenchilied,  and  they  are  generally  distin- 
ouishable  from  citizens  of  Uncle  Sam's  territorial 
limits. 


STEAMER  ARROW. 

Excursions  from  central  and  southern  Ohio,  Ken- 
tucky and  points  south  arrive  via  Toledo  and  Port 
Clinton  steamers,  by  the  Frank  E.  Kirby,  or  by  the  Ar- 
row from  Sandusky.  Figuring  distinctively  as  the 
island  steamer,  the  Arrow  is  an  especial  favorite.  The 
islanders  particularly  dote  upon  her  and  with  reason, 
since  she  is  a  model  of  beauty  and  strength,  and  a  tri- 
umph of  marine  architecture.  She  is  built  for  speed, 
and  glides  with  yacht-like  grace.  Her  cabins  are 
finished  in  mahogany,  artistically  decorated  with  paint- 
ings, frescoes  and  gildings,  and  luxuriously  furnished. 


86 


SUMMERTIME  SAUNTEUINGS. 


M     I 


■Mil 


-  m^l 


^•*9im  The  steamer  Kirby,  known 
as  "the  flyer  of  the  lakes," 
operating  on  the  Detroit,  Isl- 
and and  Sandusky  line,  is 
also  magnificently  appointed, 
and  is  highly  favored  of  the 
island  people  and  traveling 
public  generally.  Her  fleet- 
ness  makes  her  true  to  the 
popular  title  the  puVjlic  has 
given  her. 

Whether  as  season  guests 
or  as  sojourners  for  a  week, 
or  only  for  a  day,  summer 
visitors  all  come  for  pleasure, 
and  many  are  fortunate  in 
finding  this  widely  sought 
treasure.  The  observer 
nevertheless  wonders  wheth- 
er all  the  apparent  mirth  and 
gaiety  are  real,  or  only  as- 
sumed for  the  purpose  of  dis- 
guising inward  grief  and 
corroding  care. 
On  a  corner  poses  a  sad-faced  man.  Above  him  a 
suspended  card  bears  the  words:  "Who  will  help  the 
blind  ?"  He  has  manipulated  the  keys  of  an  accordeon 
until  tired  of  his  own  melodies,  and  now  listens  atten- 
tively to  other  sounds  which  tell  of  a  busy  world  that 
he  cannot  see,  while  with  head  inclined  he  analyzes 
them  as  they  strike  his  w^.r — the  hearty  guffaw,  the 
gay  repartee,  the  rumble  of  passing  hacks,  and  the 


STEAMER  FRANK  E.  KIRBY > 


i'M 


SUMMERTIME  SA  UNTE RINGS. 


87 


buzz  of  the  "merry-go-round."  A  lady  bends  over 
him  with  a  kindly  word.  A  pleased  expression  illu- 
mines the  blind  man's  countenance,  and  we  wonder 
that  anything  so  akin  to  light  as  a  smile  could  animate 
a  gloom  so  settled.  The  lady  drops  into  his  hand  a 
dime,  and  receives  a  little  yellow  book,  entitled  "The 
Blind   Man's   Robbery,"  detailing  some  adventures  of 


feiliSL^'t  •  '^' 


"TO  THE  CAVE." 

the  vender's  life.  Even  here  among  the  pleasure 
seekers  we  find  them — *'the  lame,  the  halt,  and  the 
blind."  They  give  no  sign,  but  as  they  pass  you  can 
read  their  unspoken  history. 

Along  the  crowded  thoroughfares,  and  among 
groups  of  park  picnickers,  an  ItaHan  laden  with  toy 
balloons  and  brilHant-dyed  Pampas  plumes  hawks  his 
wares,  and  a  Jap,  esconsed  with  Oriental  merchandise 
in  a  way-side  booth  attracts  a  share  of  attention. 


'I'iMil! 


88 


SUMMERTIME  SAUNTERINGS. 


The  man  with  the  camera  presides  in  his  tented 
studio  and  smiles  a  welcome  upon  the  spoony  young 
couples  and  newly  made  mashes  that  wait  upon  him, 
eager  to  be  tin-typed  together.  In  response  to  "a 
nickel  in  the  slot,"  Edison's  automatic  phonograph 
reels  off  some  touching  performances.  Nor  is  there 
lacking  the  professor  of  ps}  chulogical  mysteries  who 
for. a  consideration  lifts  the  veil  of  futurity  and  reveals 
to  anticipative  youth  approaching  successes  in  love  and 
matrimony.  Rows  of  wry-faced  rag  babies  wait  to  be 
knocked  from  their  perches  by  successful  cracksmen; 

and  the  "wild  man   of   Borneo"  sits   grinning  in  his 
cage. 

To  the  museum  threads  a  numerous  crowd,  some  to 
see  the  large  and  diversified  collection  there  displayed, 
others  to  sample  the  "bottled  goods"  on  exhibit. 
Curio  lovers  experience  also  a  drawing  toward  the 
out-of-door  novelty  stands  laden  with  exquisitely  tinted 
shells  and  corals,  island  specimens,  birchen  canoes 
and  articles  of  Indian  manufacture,  together  with 
glass  and  chinaware,  artistically  decorated  with  pic- 
tured scenes  from  Perry's  victory.  Souvenirs  and 
novel  bric-a-brac,  such  as  toy  alligators  carven  from 
alligator's  teeth,  shell  necklaces  and  brooches  of  agate, 
moonstone,  "catseye'*  pearl  and  scarlet  sea  beans. 
Delicate  fancies  and  pretty  trifles  of  every  description 
are  here  seen,  and  any  desired  novelty  may  be  pro- 
cured, from  a  wire  and  worsted  rooster,  all  complete 
except  the  crow,  to  a  patent  squawker.  Street-side 
soda  fountains  beguile  and  ice  creams  and  lemonades 
are  plentiful.  Stands  freighted  with  ham  and  cheese 
sandwiches,  fresh  pastry  and  confections,  offer  seduc- 


■s. 

in  his  tented 
)oony  young 
it  upon  him, 
ponse  to  "a 
phonograph 
Nor  is  there 
ysteries  who 
and  reveals 
es  in  love  and 
es  wait  to  be 
I  cracksmen; 

nning  in  his 


owd,  some  to 
re  displayed; 
on    exhibit, 
toward   the 
lisitely  tinted 
chen    canoes 
)gether   with 
ed  with  pic- 
Duvenirs   and 
carven  from 
;hes  of  agate, 
:    sea    beans. 
y  description 
may  be  pro- 
all  complete 
Street-side 
id  lemonades 
n  and  cheese 
offer  seduc- 


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SUMMERTIME  SA  UNTE RINGS. 


89 


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live  delights,  and  the  Bay  restaurants  are  crowded  oft 
10  an  overflow  by  hungry  excursionists. 

The  attractive  grounds  and  breezy  verandahs  of 
the  lieebe  House,  Put-in- Bay  and  other  hotels  are  filled 
with  guests,  and  strolling  about  the  grove  and  along 
the  shore,  drifting  idly  in  gayly  decked  pleasure  boats? 
lingering  over  wine  and  card  tables,  one  may  see  the 


VIEW  ON  THE  ELECTRIC  ROAD. 


votaries  of  pleasure  flitting  about  like  bevies  of  summer 
butterflies.  Yachting,  camping  and  canoeing  suits  of 
taking  designs  appear  on  the  promenades  and  filmy 
laces  float  by,  with  jewel  flashes  and  a  shimmer 
of  satin.  Glimpses  of  rose  and  violet,  embroideries  of 
gold  and  tracings  of  silver  appear  and  disappear  like 
visions  of  fairy  land. 

Flirting  is  freely  indulged  and  mashers  of  both  sexes 
go  about  seeking  whom  they  may  entangle.  Hotel 
orchestras  fill  the  air  with  music  and  waltzers  gather 


m 

vi      !j 
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i 

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90 


SUMMERTIME  SA C/NTE RINGS. 


in  hotel  parlors  or  on  open  air  platforms  to  join  in  the 
mazy  whirl, 

A  ride  over  the  electric  railway  to  Victory  Park 
and  a  visit  to  Hotel  Victory  on  the  west  shore,  are 
treats  which  no  excursionist  can  afford  to  lose,  even 
though  his  stay  on  the  island  be  limited  to  two  or  three 
hours,  and  the  cars  going  thither  are  frequently  over- 
crowded. Midway  on  the  electric  line  in  the  edge  of 
a  little  grove  where  the  cars  pass  each  other,  is  located 
a  little  station  house  at  which  passengers  for  "Perry's 
Cave"  alight.  Perry's  Cave  is  the  property  of  Geo. 
E.  Gascoyne.  As  a  natural  curiosity  it  is  widely 
famed,  and  is  annually  visited  by  thousands  of  people. 
"Crystal  Cave"  recently  opened  is  also  attracting  much 
attention. 

Ferry  line  steamers  connecting  hourly  with  the 
Middle  Bass  club  house  and  grounds,  "Wehrle's 
Landing,"  and  Ballast  Island  afford  opportunities  for 
delightful  excursions.  A  trip  to  Kelley's  Island,  clas- 
sic Lakeside  or  a  yachting  cruise  to  the  "Hen  and 
Chickens,"  the  "Sisters,"  or  to  other  outlying  islands 
of  the  archipellachian  group — when  the  day  is  fav- 
orable and  the  breeze  propitious — are  experiences 
fraught  with  pleasurable  adventure. 

Visits  to  the  United  States  Fish  Hatchery  on 
"Peach"  Point,  and  to  the  government  Hghthouse 
station  on  "Parker's  Point"  are  included  among  island 
attractions. 

On  afternoons  when  the  mercury  crowds  close 
upon  90  and  the  air  quivers  with  heat,  the  bathing 
beach  affords  a  larger  amount  of  live  amusement, 
probably,  than  any   other  specialty.     Heading  toward 


SUMMERTIME  SAUNTERINGS. 


91 


PUT-IN-BAY  LIGHT  HOUSE. 

this  Mecca  of  aqueous  delights  on  such  afternoons, 
may  be  observed  a  gay  procession  formed  of  hotel 
guests  and  excursionists.  In  the  throng  appear  coupled 
youths  and  maidens,  buxom  matrons  and  j[)ater  famih'es 
of  portly  presence.  There  are  romping  misses  and 
children  with  sand  pails  and  carriages;  pugs  with  the 
most  approved  wrinkle  of  nose  and  curl  of  tail,  and 
canine  pets  of  every  degree,  silver  collared  and 
ribboned. 

The  bathing  beach  is  a  semi-circle  of  sand,  bor- 
dered with  clumps  of  willow  and  basswood.     Its  wide 


m 


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!il 


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02 


SUMMERTIME  SA UXTERLXGS. 


reaches  are  strewn  with  wrecknp;e  and  afford  a  lovely 
outlook  toward  Kelley  island  and  the  peninsula. 

Two  rival  bathinjr  establishments  are  here  located. 
The  situations  of  both  are  delightfully  cool  and 
breezy.     Tree-sheltered    porches    and    platforms    are 

crowded   with 
I  amused     specta- 
tors,  while    the 
water    is    full    of 
'Z^  friskv,      flopping 


mer  m  en  and 
maids  in  pictui- 
esque  attire. 
The  diving 
platform  and 
the  steam  to- 
boggan aie  im- 
portant      ad-  SCENES  ON  THE  BATHING  BEACH.        Geo.  Kerry, 

juncts.  Watching  the  antics  of  bathers  forms  a  diver- 
sion of  which  the  spectator  seldom  tires.  Swimming, 
splashing  and  plunging  are  indulged,  and  screams  and 
laughter  alternate,  when  a  spanking  breeze  sends 
tumbling  ashore  line  after  line  of  breakers. 

Flirtations  are  carried  on  as  successfully  in  the 
water  as  upon  land.  Flirting  is  possible  even  on  the 
toboggan  slide  where  patrons  must  hold  their  breath 
to  prevent  losing  it  altogether.  Descending  with  its 
passengers,  the  toboggan  increases  in  speed  until 
striking  the  water  it  rebounds,  and  leaping  three  or 


,« 


w^ 


I  \ 


lit 


PUT-IN- BAY  DOCKS  IN  OTHER  DAYS. 


( 


H 


THE  BATHING  BEACH. 


i- 


.  ) 


SUMXfERrnTE  SA UiXTERIXGS. 


93 


four  times  its  length  aj^ain  strikes  and  glides  away 
amid  spray  showers,  to  stop  when  its  momentum  is 
exhausted. 

On  the  beach  from  time  to  time  are  seen  many 
well  known  and  popular  society  women  of  our  lake 
and  inland  cities.  Most  of  these  fair  patrons  provide 
pretty  and  expensive  bathin<(  suits  of  their  own,  and 
wear  them  as  gracefully  as  nymphs. 

Such,  in  sunny  summer  time,  is  life  at  gay,  giddy 
Put-in- Bay. 


W\ 


>'  i 


m 


.CI, 


HOTEL  VICTORY. 


BIRD'S-EYE  VIEW  OF  HOTEL  VICTORY. 


A  famed  attraction  of  Put-in-Bay,  toward  which 
visitors  from  all  portions  of  the  United  States  turn  at- 
tention, is  Hotel  Victory;  and  in  contemplation  of  this 
architectural  marvel — its  size,  design  and  magnificence 
— are  they  lost  in  wonder. 

The  hotel,  w^hich  is  said  to  be  the  largest  summer 
hostelry  in  America,  occupies  the  highest  site  of  land 
on  the  island  overlooking  Victory  park  and  the 
waters  of  Victory  bay  and  commanding  a  scene  of  un- 
rivalled beauty. 

The  main  building  is  in  the  form  of  a  square  and  is  600 
feet  long,  by  300  feet  deep ;  the  main  portion  surround- 
ing a  court  300  feet  square. 

On  one  side  forming  a  wing  and  connected  with 
the  main  building  by  a  lobby  are  the  main  dining  hall, 


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HOTEL  VICTORY. 


05 


ordinary  and  kitchen,  and  back  of  these  the  servant's 
quarters. 

The  main  dining  hall  is  155  feet  long,  85  feet  wide 
and  52  feet  high,  wide  galleries  encompassing  the 
entire  hall. 

The  ordinary  is  50x100  feet,  and  the  combined 
dining  capacity,  including  private  banqueting  halls  and 


'^^  '  1 


i1 


DISTANT  VIEW  OF  THE  VICTORY. 


/'//i>.  fi'id,  Kerry. 


children's  and  nurses'  dining  hall,  is  1,200  guests  at 
one  sitting.  The  guest  chambers  are  625  in  number, 
large,  light,  airy  and  elegantly  furnished,  including  So 
suites  with  briths.  Every  room  fronts  upon  some 
lake  view  or  toward  the  interior  court,  rendered 
charming  with  luxurious  floral  adornment,  gravelled 
walks  and  other  attractions. 

There    are    three  elevators,  bell  boy   stations  on 
every  floor,  electric  call  bells,  6,000  incandescent  elec- 


,.r  t 


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-km 


96 


HOTEL  VICTORY. 


trie  lights,  steam  heating  throughout  the  entire  struc- 
ture, and  the  most  modern  equipped  hotel  kitchen,  it  is 
said,  in  the  world. 

A  ramble  through  the  big  hotel  is  almost  equal  to 
that  taken  through  a  small  town 


FOX'S  DOCK  — Landing  of  0.  &  C.  Steamers  and  Steamer  Metropolis. 

Luxurious  appointments  are  everywhere  seen. 
The  parlors  of  the  Victory  are  numerous.  Showing 
varied  styles  of  furniture  and  embellishment,  each  a 
model  of  elegance,  comfort  and  luxury.  Especially  rich 
in  upholstering  are  the  ladies'  grand  parlors. 

The  office,  halls,  lobbies  and  corridors  are  corres- 
pondingly magnificent,  and  in  extent  the  place  seems 
interminable,  the  combined  length  of  the  corridors 
alone  being  one  mile,  all  handsomely  carpeted. 

The  main  lobby — having  a  seating  capacity  of 
I, GOO  persons  —is  a  favored  resort  for  hotel  visitors. 
Here  the  orchestra  daily  and  nightly  assembles,  and 


e  struc- 
len,  it  is 

?qual  to 


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oils. 

?  seen, 
lowing 
each  a 
lly  rich 

corres- 

seems 

rridors 


:ity  of 
sitors. 
s,  and 


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HOTEL  VICTORY. 


07 


U 

u 


music,  mirth  and  festivity  rule  the  hour.  However, 
it  is  in  the  great  ball  room — by  myriads  of  electric 
li<rhts  arcaded,  and  rendered  brilliant  as  noonday — that 
representatives  of  social  gaieties  are  more  frequently 
found,  joining  in  the  grand  promenade  and  mazy 
whirl. 

Others,  again,  seek  the  grand  piazza,  which  extends 
the  whole  length  of  the  main  structure,  where  by  day, 
or  at  night  when  illumined  with  electricity,  is  found  a 
breezy  and  most  delightful  place  in  which  to  doze  and 
dream,  or  to  hold  social  converse.  From  this  outlook 
is  afforded  a  scene  upon  which  the  eye  may  Hnger 
long  without  becoming  weary,  so  •charmingly  pic- 
turesque, so  restful  and  delightful,  its  environments. 

The  grounds  adjoining  the  hotel  form  a  landscape 
garden  which  nature  and  art  combine  to  beautify.  Pro- 
fuse but  tasteful  and  exquisite  floral  decorations  appear. 
Foliage  plants  and  blooms  of  torrid  richness  blend 
with  paler  hues;  while  climbing  the  white  walls  and 
stone-pillared  steps,  masses  of  maderia,  morning  glory, 
nasturtium  and  woodbine  spread  a  mantle  of  blossom- 
starred  greenery.  Care  is  taken  to  preserve  natural 
effects,  and  in  the  park,  consisting  of  twenty-one  acre  s^ 
extending  to  and  along  the  shores  of  Victory  bay, 
revels  a  profusion  of  flowers,  both  wild  and  cultivated. 

A  rustic  bridge  of  artistic  design  spans  the  park 
ravine;  rough  ledges  of  lime  rock  outcrop,  and  hollow 
stumps  form  receptacles  for  tender,  blossoming  plants 
and  vines.  An  electric  fountain  sends  aloft  its  jetting 
spray,  and  a  cascaded  board  walk  descends  by  gentle 
slope  to  the  shore  five  hundred  feet  distant. 

The  greatest  charm  of  the  park  is  its  freedom,  for 


II. 


11 


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1.  * 


ill 


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III! 


I 


"  Mi  I 


98 


HOTEL  TICTORy. 


the  shore  upon  which  it  opens  is  as  picturesque  as  ever 
conspired  to  woo  the  lover  of  Nature.  Masses  of  beet- 
ling rock,  of  rock  cleft  and  riven  as  by  volcanic  action, 
gird  its  broken  line,  while  in  the  caverns  indenting  their 


'       .  MERMAID'S  CAVE,  VICTORY. PARK. 

base  echoes  the  sound  of  waves.  As  if  to  screen  their 
roughness,  vines  and  mosses  cover  and  shrubbery  and 
cedar  clumps  edge  and  overdroop  them. 

Boat  and  bathing  houses  occupy  an  eligible  site, 
commanding  a  beach  of  smooth  sand  reached  by  a 
*  flight  of  steps.  All  the  facilities  for  bathing  are  here 
afforded.  In  addition  to  these,  a  newly  constructed 
Natatorium,  or  swimming  pool,  with  canopied  cover- 
ing, wide  platform,  and  comfortalle  seats  for  specta- 


....  .^ 


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HOTEL   JVC  TORY. 


99 


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tors,   is  afforded.     The   place  is  lighted  at  night  by 
electricity. 

The  hotel  is  connected  with  the  bay  and  boat  land- 
ings by  the  l*ut-in-Bay  Electric  Railway. 


,1.  11 


fe       i; 


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pl 


TENT  LIFE. 


W.  \ 


TENT  LIFE. 


Midsummer, 
such  as  envi- 
rons the  archi- 
pelago  with 
balm  and 
beauty,  rend- 
ers life  under 
canvas  half 
dream,  half 
romance — so 
say  the  many 
who  have  test- 
ed this  happy- 
go-lucky  mode  of  existence  and  know  its  charms. 

When  vineyard  and  orchard  lands  are  thrifty  with 
tender  foliage  and  fair  with  promise,  and  every  shore 
stretch  and  creviced  rock  is  exhuberant  with  wild 
vegetation;  then,  too,  the  deep,  cool  shadow  of  grove 
and  forest  belt  invite  the  summer  nomad,  and  tent  and 
pavilion  whitens  among  the  trees. 

Reclining  in  a  luxurious  hammock  among  the 
wood's  arcaded  aisles,  gazing  dreamily  liipward  through 
its  green  net  work  into  ethereal  depths,  watching  airy 
cloud  temples  and  palaces  adrift,  or  the  shifting  sails  of 
vessels  afar  on  the  blue  lake ;  listening  to  the  notes  of 
birds,  the  chirp  of  crickets,  the  subdued  splash  of  waves; 


ummer, 
s  envi- 
i  archi- 
3  with 
and 
rend- 
under 
;  half 
,  half 
ce — so 
many 
^e  test- 
lappy- 
s. 

'  with 

shore 

wild 

grove 

It  and 

f  the 
rough 
gairy 
ails  of 
:es  of 
aves; 


I 


o 


GO 

o 


CO 


u 


u 


TENT  LIFE. 


101 


feeling  the  zephyr's  breath  soft  upon  the  cheek,  tis 
heaven  to  swing  and  doze. 

There  is  lots  of  romance,  too,  in  a  camp  by  moon- 
light when  a  soft  splendor  bathes  lake  and  land,  and 
silver  pencils  penetrate  the  dim  forest.  From  out  the 
twinkling  firmament  the  gazer  may  then  single  his  star 
of  destiny,  and  the  vocalist  afloat  upon  the  waters 
pour  forth  his  soul  to  the  click  of  row-locks.  All 
this  the  average  camper  duly  assimilates. 

Life  in  camp  brings  the  individual  into  close  com- 
munion with  nature,  enlarges  his  ideas  and  makes  him 
healthy  and  happy.  Bugs,  ants,  spiders  and  ]une  flies 
dismay  him  not,  and  when  fairly  tilled  up  on  poetry 
and  romance  he  may  have  recourse  to  other  amuse- 
ments, such  as  rowing,  wrestling,  bathing,  foot-balling, 
love-making  and  yarn  spinning.  That  the  crew  of 
every  passing  craft  may  know  how  extravagantly 
happy  he  feels,  the  summer  nomad  explodes,  by  way  of 
salutation,  gun  powder  and  torpedoes  in  endless  quan- 
tities, and  shouts  himself  hoarse,  forcibly  expressing 
thereby  his  irrepressible  jollity. 

The  denizens  of  summer  camps  hail  mainly  from 
lake  and  inland  town  and  city,  and  the  change  from 
interminable  walls  and  crowded  streets  with  their  in- 
evitable heat,  dust,  dirt  an.l  discomfort,  to  the  breezy 
haunts  of  island  shores  is  novel. 

The  first  installment  of  campers  puts  in  an  appear- 
ance about  the  latter  part  of  June,  others  coming  and 
going  from  this  date  until  the  first  of  September. 
Representing  all  classes,  they  arrive  in  parties  of  all 
sizes.  Romantic  young  couples  sighing  for  "a  lodge  in 
some  vast  wilderness,"  spend  the  honeymoon  in  tented 


1 1 

I 


:• 


*v     1 


II 


I 


ri  i 


Hii 


J    M    • 

1         ! 


.  I'll    i; 


i 


i;;  I! 


:yi  111! 


102 


TENT  LIFE. 


seclusion,  and  family  parties  are  common.  Cliques  of 
college  students,  sporting  clubs,  social  clubs  and  clubs 
of  divers  sorts  variously  costumed  and  equipped  are 
numerous,  and  military  organizations  occasional.  Each 
encarnpment  is  rendered  conspicuous  by  flag  and  other 
decorations,  and  to  each  is  attached  some  strikingly 
novel  or  romantically  suggestive  name  usually  blazoned 
in  black  letters  on  a  strip  of  white  canvas  stretched 
from  tree  to  tree.  Exceedingly  picturesque  are  the 
acenes  sketched  from  life  in  the  woods.  That  it  is  not  all 
poetry  and  romance,  however,  and  that  its  experiences 
arc  not  all  of  a  dreamy,  indolent  nature,  is  frequently 
demonstrated;  the  term  "roughing  it,"  having  oftimes 
a  literal  and  unwonted  signification. 

"Taking  it  all  through,  you  have  a  good  deal  to 
contend  with.'"'  was  asked  of  a  tent  dweller. 

"Oh,  yes  indeed,"  he  replied  wearily,  "We  have 
our  ups  and  downs  of  course.  For  instance,  last  night 
after  we  had  got  nicely  settled  in  our  straw  mattress 
beds,  the  rain  was  pattering  soft  upon  the  canvas  roof 
and  we  were  just  going  off  on  an  excursion  to  the  poetic 
nooks  and  crannies  of  Dreamland,  when  zip!  down 
came  the  tent,  collapsed  you  know  quicker'n  a  man 
could  say  Jack  Robinson,  and  there  it  lay  fiat  as  a  pan- 
cake with  us  squirming  under  it,  and  the  rain  a  pour- 
ing. The  worst  feature  of  the  whole  business,  though, 
was  the  laughter  that  greeted  us  from  the  boys  in  an 
adjoining  tent,  but  that  serves  to  illustrate  the  cruelty 
of  human  nature  and  the  readiness  of  its  representatives 
to  laugh  at  misfortune." 

"A  speedy  retribution  awaited  the  game  Oiakers, 
however,  for  the  roars  of  merriment  to  which  thev 


TENT  IJFE. 


108 


gave  utterance  had  not  yet  subsided,  when  down  came 
their  tent  amid  the  rain  and  darkness.  Suppressed 
groans  were  heard  beneath  the  writhing  heap  of  can- 
vas, but  we  felt  that  for  us  the  tables  had  turned  and 
naturally  looked  upon  the  last  collapse  as  a  just  judg- 
ment sent  upon  the  unregenerate  doers. 
Investigations  were  continued  in  another  direction, 

"How  do  you  make  out  in  the  culinary  department  ? 
Suppose  you  are  all  good  cooks?" 

"Well,  I  don't  know,"  he  replied,  slowly.  "I  sup- 
pose there  are  just  as  good  cooks  to  be  found.  The 
fact  is,  we  never  have  had  very  extensive  experience  in 
that  line," 

"You  ought  to  have  a  cook  book." 

"Oh,  we  have  a  cook  book  and  medical  adviser 
combined;  but  somehow  we  get  Jenny  Lind's  cream 
cake  and  Victoria  fritters  all  mixed  up  with  catarrh 
remedies  and  rheumatic  balsams.  I  don't  see  how 
it  is,  but  I  believe  that  a  woman  can  conjure  from 
her  head  in  half  an  hour  a  better  meal  than  we  can 
study  out  of  a  cook  book  in  a  week.  We  don't  have 
our  meals  regularly,"  he  continued,  plaintively,  "be- 
cause we  can  never  decide  who  is  to  cook  them.  We 
get  up  at  7  o'clock  with  sharp  appetites,  expecting  to 
sit  down  to  a  breakfast  of  French  rolls,  Jricandelles 
and  omelet  souffie^  but  instead  we  have  to  hold  a  council 
of  war  to  decide  who  is  to  be  the  projector  of  the  enter- 
prise. Every  fellow  wants  his  breakfast,  but  none  of 
'em  wants  to  cook  it.  As  a  result,  we  don't  get  ready 
to  serve  up  till  about  t  i  130,  and  that  makes  a  late  din- 
ner, you  know ;  and  then  sometimes  we  don't  get  any 
supper  till  the  next  day." 


if" 
I 

■   i 

V 

"ii 

\[ 

ill 

i 

'  '■ij 

p 

.I-- 

;^i; 

jl" 

^v^ 

104 


TENT  LIFE. 


ii  "I- 


Initiation  to  camp  life  is  frequently  made  interesting 
bv  the  elements  which  arise  to  welcome  the  novice, 
summoning  for  this  occasion  the  whole  fantastic  band 
of  buglers,  harpists  and  pipers  at  command;  ^olius 
and  Boreas  leading,  with  prelude  and  plaint,  whoop  and 
howl,  an  extravaganza  the  weirdest  and  most  magnifi- 
cent in  all  Nature's  coDection. 

On  one  occasion  the  arrival  of  a  veteran  military 
organization  at  "Camp  Bowler,"  on  East  Point,  was 
thus  notably  greeted.  All  the  tents  having  been  staked 
in  position  by  an  advance  guard,  the  main  body  reached 
the  grounds  just  in  time  to  render  themselves  "useful, 
as  well  as  ornamental,"  in  holding  them  down.  The 
wind  howled,  trees  were  twisted  into  hard  knots,  spray 
spouted  up  the  rocks,  and  tent  canvas  flapped  like  the 
sails  of  a  frigate  in  a  typhoon.  For  a  timv.  brawn  and 
muscle  prevailed  over  the  elements;  then,  with  a  sud- 
denness appalling  to  onlookers,  the  steel  ribs  of  the 
dining  hall  tent  gave  way,  and  the  whole  concern 
snapped  together  like  a  rat-trap-  Two  or  three  men 
narrowly  escaped  being  caught  in  the  wreck;  dishes 
innumerable  were  broken,  and  the  quartermaster — so 
mad  was  he,  it  is  affirmed,  that  you  could  have  heard 
him  swear  from  Put-in- Bay  to  Sandusky.  The  tent 
was  an  elaborate  affair,  and  had  kept  a  dozen  men 
busy  two  days  putting  it  up. 

While  all  this  was  transpiring,  old  Neptune  was 
busily  engaged  in  administering  rites  initiatory  to  other 
members  of  the  camp  on  their  way  thither  in  row 
boats.  The  first  boat,  containing  a  party  of  ladies  and 
an  oarsman,  narrowly  escaped  swamping.  They  made 
land  after  a  hard  struggle,  but  wert  drenched  by  rain 


2sling 
Dvice, 
band 
i)olius 
p  and 
gnifi- 


litary 
,  was 
aked 
ched 
seful, 
The 
pray 
2  the 
1  and 
sud- 
:  the 
cern 
men 
shes 
—so 
turd 
tent 
men 

was 
ther 
row 
and 
ade 
'ain 


1  4  - 


ii: 


m. 


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,  1 

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W 

«  15 

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'      '      J      ■ 
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(J 


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3 


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o 


r^iVr  L/FE. 


106 


and  driving  surf.  The  wreck  of  dry  goods  and  milli- 
nery was  simply  awful,  and  the  half- drowned  party 
presented  a  pitiable  but  picturesque  appearance.  A 
second  boat  went  ashore  upon  the  rocks  and  capsized; 
its  occupants  were  picked  up,  sustaining  no  damage 
beyond  a  thorough  wetting.  While  the  storm  was 
making  things  liv^ely  at  "Camp  Bowler,"  the  occupants 
of  an  adjacent  encampment  were  routed.  They,  too, 
had  arrived  that  day,  and  had  just  got  their  tents 
fairly  anchored  when  the  gale  struck,  capsized  and 
tore  them  from  their  moorings.  Descending  floods  of 
rain  quickly  submerged  the  ladies  and  gentlemen  of  the 
party,  together  with  bedding,  provisions  and  camp 
equipment  generally.  Two  immense  trees  close  at 
hand  were  blown  down,  the  air  was  filled  with  flying 
leaves  and  limbs,  and  the  terrified  party  beat  a  hasty 
retreat  to  the  nearest  house,  the  hospitalities  of  which 
they  were  forced  to  solicit  until  the  following  day. 

Within  the  past  few  years  Put-in- Bay  and  adjacent 
isles  have  formed  the  scenes  of  many  notable  encamp- 
ments. Of  the  numerous  mihtary  organizations  which 
have  made  the  former  place  a  rendezvous,  the  most 
brilliant,  as  well  as  the  largest  and  most  rollicking,  was 
undoubtedly  the  First  Regiment  O.  N.  G.,  under  com- 
mand of  Col.  W.  B.  Smith  of  Cincinnati.  From  early 
morning  reveille  until  cannon  thundered  forth  a  parting 
salute  at  sunset,  the  drum  beat  and  bugle  call,  the  sharp 
word  of  command,  the  prolonged  cheer,  and  bursts  of 
music  from  the  grand  military  band  resounded  from 
shore  to  shore,  filling  the  day  with  a  continued  round 
of  excitement.  The  camp  was  thronged  with  visitors, 
ladies  and  gentlemen,  and  the  banr",  containing  over 


1 

1 

i     !*. 

,    'l 

it 


j'." 


m 


ii 


)  .  •  .'F-y 


: 


100 


TENT  LIFE 


forty  peiformLM\s,  furnished  an  abundance  of  inspiriting 
music  for  the  edification  of  Hsteners.  The  arrival  in 
the  bay  of  the  U.  S.  gunboat  Michigan  was  honored 
bv  a  salute  of  several  guns  from  the  First  Regiment 
camp  and  a  storm  of  martial  music  by  the  regimental 
band.  The  soldiers  and  marines  and  the  officers  of  the 
army  and  navy  visited  each  other  in  camp  and  on  board 
the  man-of-war. 


CAMP  GROUNDS  ON  THE  EAST  POINT  SHORES. 

Fewer  in  numbers  but  hardly  less  brilliant  was  the 
camp  of  the  Duquesne  Grays,  pitched  on  the  shores  of 
"East  Point,"  and  a  pleasant  recollection  here  recalled 
was  an  evening  spent  at  their  camp.  As  our  part}' 
approached  the  grounds,  we  were  greeted  by  a  brilliant 
flood  of  light,  which,  bursting  through  the  wood,  pen- 
etrated its  dimmest  recesses.  A  massive  stand  occupy- 
ing a  central  position  was  encircled  by  flaming  torches, 
many   more  of  which,  fastened  to   trees,  were  inter- 


t  i 


TENT  LIFE. 


107 


the 
cs  of 
illed 

irty 
liant 

)en- 

ipy- 
|hes, 

^ter- 


spersed  through  the  grove.  The  tents  were  hghted 
by  swinging  himps  and  chandeliers,  and  the  rays  fall- 
ing upon  gnarly  tree  trunks,  and  flashing  upward  into 
the  leafy  vaults  overarching,  produced  an  effect  which 
was  both  novel  and  beautiful.  The  tent  floors  were 
tastefully  carpeted  and  each  was  furnished  according 
to  the  tastes  of  the  occupants,  decorations  of  flags  and 
flowers  appearing.  Near  the  tent  occupied  by  Col. 
Campbell  of  the  Mexican  Veterans  drooped  the  torn 
and  tattered  folds  of  an  old  standard  which  had  been 
carried  through  the  battles  of  Vera  Cruz,  Cerro  Gordo 
and  on  other  noted  fields  at  the  head  of  the  Colonel's 
command.  Col.  Campbell  appeared  hale  and  hearty, 
though  advanced  in  years,  and  on  this  occasion  was 
busy  receiving  and  entertaining  the  many  visitors  who 
thronged  the  camp. 

At  8  o'clock  the  band,  consisting  of  twenty-one 
performers,  took  their  positions,  and  the  evening  con- 
cert began.  Visitors  to  the  number  of  300  or  there- 
about crowded  around  the  stand,  many  selections  were 
rendered  in  a  brilliant  manner,  and  for  an  hour  the 
audience  was  held  under  the  witching  power  of  music. 
When  the  echoes  of  the  last  notes  had  died  away,  a 
shrill  whoop  was  heard  resounding  from  a  remote 
part  of  the  forest,  it  was  speedily  answered  by  other 
whoops,  and  a  band  of  Indians  appeared  leading  by 
the  foretop  a  white  man.  They  were  hideous  in  war 
paint,  red  blankets,  feathers  and  fantastic  ornaments. 
"Big  Injuns"  were  they  in  every  sense  of  the  word, 
besides  whose  gigantic  proportions  the  unfortunate 
pale  face  seemed  a  mere  Lilliputian.  With  guttural 
howl  and  broken  jargon  the  man  was  lashed  to  a 


%\\\ 


S' 


108 


TEXT  LIFE. 


M'' 


!  ■•  U 


|!«i 


tree.  His  face  was  painted,  and  a  pile  of  faggots 
lighted  about  him.  Midst  ascending  smoke  and  the 
glare  of  llames,  the  savages  circled  'round  the  tree  in 
a  wild  war  dance,  brandishing  knives,  guns  and  toma- 
hawks. "Jiuffalo  Bill"  in  bear  skin  suite,  belt  and 
revolvers  figured  conspicuously  in  the  scene,  and  a 
rescue  party  and  a  horse  appearirg,  the  captive  was 
released  and  smuggled  into  the  saddle.  The  horse, 
after  plunging  and  kicking  at  everybody  in  a  manner 
most  extraordinary,  escaped  with  his  rider  through 
the  wood. 

Scalping  bees  and  "neck-tie  parties"  were  amuse- 
ments also  indulged  to  the  delight  of  spectators. 

The  Duquesne  Greys,  or  "Pittsburgh  Heavys" 
form  an  old  military  organization  originally  named  in 
honor  of  Old  Fort  Duquesne. 

"We're  Tenting  Tonight  On  the  Old  Camp- 
Ground"  is  the  song  which  more  than  any  other  finds 
an  echo  in  the  hearts  of  comrades  of  the  Seventh  O. 
V.  I.  when  gathered  around  their  annual  "campfirt" 
they  note  the  absence  of  once  familiar  faces  and  the 
changes  which  time  has  wrought;  while  in  story  and 
reminiscence  they  live  over  again  those  memorable 
events  which  so  closely  connect  their  history  with 
that  of  the  nation. 

"Banner  regiment  of  Ohio,"  honored  alike  for  past 
deeds  of  heroism,  as  for  the  present  staunch  patriot- 
ism and  worthy  citizenship  of  its  members.  For  nearly 
twenty-five  years  East  Point,  Put-in- Bay,  has  formed 
the  annual  rendezvous  of  this  famous  regiment,  and 
its  members  entertain  a  natural  and  strong  attachment 
for  the  old  camping  ground   which  has   witnessed  all 


." 


o. 


TEXT  LIFE. 


lOO 


these  meetinj^s.  Its  location  is  most  charminir.  "Far 
from  the  maddenin^j  crowd's  i<;rioble  strife" — it  forms 
a  secludc'd  retreat  where  naught  is  heard  hut  wild 
bird  notes,  and  the  swash  and  wear  of  waves.  The 
shores  are  clothed  with  natural  forest,  and  <:jirt  by 
picturesque   rocks    fantastically    carven    and    covered 


ij 


'♦ 


\  \ 


1 


I 


Hi 


mm 


BV  THE  CAMP  FiRE 


with  mosses  rare,  embroidered  by  wild  blossoms  and 
festooned  with  drooping  vines  and  Cedars.  Detached 
rocks,  overhung  by  native  v:*getation,  form  tiny  islets 
in  the  blue  water,  and  many  other  romantic  bits  of 
natural  scenery  appear.  From  the  camp  grounds  a 
long  pier  projects  into  the  lake,  at  which  land  the 
dashing  little  steamers  of  the  island  ferry  lines. 


\  '  V  :l 


r 


!    < 


no 


TENT  LIFE, 


\  ® 


Few  veteran  members  now  are  left,  but  the  fam- 
ilies and  friends  of  those  who  have  passed  away  and 
of  those  who  survive  fill  the  vacant  places  at  yearly 
gatherings,  and  the  organization  is  commonly  known 
as  the  "Seventh  Regiment  association." 

The  old  battle  flags  carried  by  this  regiment 
through  a  blaze  of  shot  and  shell  at  Lookout  moun- 
tain, at  Winchester,  at  Port  Republic  and  upon  many 
other  noted  fields,  were  formerly  exhibited  at  these 
encampments — blackened  by  smoke  and  so  shredded 
as  to  scarcely  bear  unrolling.  The  "white  banner"  of 
sheeny  silk,  elegantly  wrought  and  bearing  upon  its 
center  the  words:  "First  in  valor;  first  in  achieve- 
ment," is  also  treasured  with  the  regimental  colors. 
This  trophy  was  presented  the  regiment  by  Ohio 
ladies  as  a  mark  of  highest  appreciation  for  gallant 
services  rendered  during  the  war.  For  safe  keeping 
these  flags  were  recently  placed  in  the  rooms  of  the 
Noithern  Ohio  Historical  society  at  Cleveland. 


^ 


UNDER  A  STEAMER^S  HEADLIGHTS/ 

Two  Silly  Girls  and  Their  Adventures. 


To  begin,  I  may  state  incideiUally  tl  at  I  was  born 
and  bred  in  a  section  of  country  lying  well  inland,  and 
until  a  few  weeks  previous  to  the  occurrence  wliich  1 
am  about  to  relate,  had  never  seen  a  boat,  save  the 
tiny  models  in  toy  shops,  nor  a  body  of  water  bigger 
than  "Taggart's  mill  pond."  I  experienced  then  a  rap- 
ture inexpressible  when  first  I  sighted  Lake  Erie,  wide 
rolling  in  all  the  reflected  blue  and  golden  glory  of 
summer  skies.  And  when  in  amongst  the  sleeping 
islands,  emerald  dotting  her  broad  bosom,  I  was  borne 
and  sighted  the  shifting  sails,  grey  and  white,  of  cruis- 
ing vessels,  and  the  pretty  painted  pleasure  craft  gently 
rocking  on  the  bay,  the  scene  impressed  me  like  a 
dream.  1  questioned  my  reason  as  to  whether  the 
pictures  were  real,  and  wondered  whether  the  "Isles  of 
Greece,"  where  "burning  Sappho  loved  and  sung," 
were  lovelier  than  these.  The  bulk  of  my  knowledge 
concerning  great  waters  had  been  gleaned  from  poetry 
and  fiction  and  I  wa£  proportionately  susceptible  to 
romantic  impressions.  The  depth  and  mystery  of  the 
blue  expanse  where  it  met  and  blended  with  the  horizon 
was  to  me  awe-inspiring,  and  when  the  skies  darkened 
and  the  waters  turned  green  and  black  with  storm, 
and  turbulent  waves  thundered  among  caverned  rocks, 


112 


UNDER  A  STEAMER'S  HEADUGHTS. 


\   ■\  \ 


«!  I 


I  was  fascinated  by  the  sublimity  of  a  scene  so  new 
and  novel. 

I  loved,  feared  and  venerated  the  Neptune  of  the 
inl.nd  seas  and  felt  anxious  to  be  on  a  friendly  footing 
with  this  particular  deity,  hoping  thereby  to  gain  the 
freedom  of  his  wide  domain.  Sailing  and  rowing 
afforded  attractions  irresistable  whicli  I  was  eager  to 
enjoy,  but  was  afraid  of  the  water.  A  thought  of  its 
depth  and  the  thinness  of  the  boat's  .sides  between  it 
it  and  me  caused  a  choking  sens  ition  in  m}'  throat. 
With  a  trusty  oarsman  1  felt  no  especial  timidiiy* 
though  still  there  remained  an  aching  void  which 
could  only  be  filled  by  a  personal  and  practical  knowl- 
edge of  boats  and  oars.  To  obtain  complete  satisfac- 
tion  I  must  learn  to  row.  Once  formed,  the  idea  grew 
and  strengthened,  and  one  afternoon  I  found  myself  on 
a  little  wharf  that  projected  into  the  waters  of  a  quiet 
cove.  The  spot  was  romantic.  The  surface  dimples 
were  flashing  gold  and  crimson  from  the  westering  sun 
and  the  faintest  of  zephyrs  stirred  the  shore  trees. 
Moored  to  the  cribbing  was  a  skiff,  blue  and  white 
painted,  in  which  lay  a  pair  of  oars. 

"Now's  your  time,"  something  whispered,  I  obedi- 
ently loosened  the  chain  which  held  it  and  slipped 
down  the  cribbing  into  the  boat.  The  water,  as  seen 
by  the  pebbled  bottom,  was  but  two  or  three  feet  in 
depth. 

"Should  1  fall  in  or  the  boat  capsize  I  can't  very 
well  drown,  because  there  isn't  water  enough,"  The 
thought  gave  me  courage. 

Cautiously  adjusting  row-locks  and  oars,  I  was 
soon  in  the  midst  of  my  experiment.     I  kept  the  boat 


UNDER  A  STEAMER'S  HEADLIGHTS. 


113 


for  a  time  in  water  shallow  enough  to  wade,  in  case  of 
wreckage.  Having  studied  the  movement  of  oarsmen 
I  now  endeavored  to  imitate,  but  sometimes  my  right 
oar  struck  bottom  in  a  most  provoking  manner,  while 
the  left  barely  skimmed  the  surface,  and  vice  versa. 
Still  the  boat  moved  and  I  was  exultant,  for  I  could 
row.  Little  or  nothing  knew  I,  it  is  true,  about  feath- 
ering, backing  and  curvetting,  and  having  lived  on  a 
farm,  might  have  turned  a  two  horse  wagon  in  far  less 
tin  e  and  space  than  1  should  have  required  to  turn  a 
boat;  still  I  got  along  amazingly — so  I  thought — ditli- 
dence  began  evaporating  and  boldness  grew  apace.  I  re- 
solved to  pull  into  deep  water,  a  daring  venture,  but  the 
boat  showed  no  signs  of  treachery  or  insubordination. 
Confidence  in  myself,  and  it  became  stronger,  my 
strokes  bolder,  if  not  more  dextrous,  and  I  ventured 
still  farther  until  the  boat  was  lifted  by  the  gentle  roll 


of  undulating  swells  from  the  westward. 


How  delight- 


ful! The  motion  was  like  swinging,  with  space  illimit- 
able above  and  below.  Read  and  his  exquisite  Neapol- 
itan song  came  to  mind,  and  a  stanza  went  jingling 
through  my  brain.  I  sang  "Rocking  on  the  Billows," 
"Song  of  the  Sea,"  and  "Life  on  the  Ocean  Wave," 
and  thought  of  Grace  Darling  and  in  my  soul  emulated 
her  daring  spirit.  Thus  I  found  myself  luxuriating  in 
a  heaven  of  my  own  creation,  when  a  young  woman, 
an  acquaintance,  appeared  on  the  shore.  I  invited  her 
to  join  me,  and  nothing  loth,  she  accepted.  With  some 
difficulty  Igot  the  boat  headed  landward,  and  later,  we 
together  quaffed  nectar  to  the  fresh  water  Neptune. 

Arra  evinced  a  slight  distrust  of  my  abiHties,  when 
she  learned  that  I  was  handling  the  oars  for  the  first 


114 


UNDER  A  STEAMER'S  HEADLIGHTS. 


time.  However,  I  was  the  better  of  the  two,  since 
she  had  never  pulled  an  oar,  and  never  had  indulged 
aspirations  along  the  oar  pulling  line.  There  was  no 
danger,  obviously,  of  Arra  usurping  my  place,  so  I 
laughed  at  her  fears,  sang  "Bounding  Billows,"  and 
she  became  more  courageous. 

I  was  growing  heroic  to  a  painful  degree,  and 
having  like  Alexander  conquered  the  world,  yearned 
for  more  worlds  to  conquer,  when  an  idea  flashed 
upon  me  dazzling  with  its  brilliancy.  I  had  long 
wanted  to  visit  an  adjacent  island  lying  in  the  dis- 
tance; "wh    not  now?" 

My  companion  thought  it  a  risky  undertaking  and 
objected,  but  I  overruled  her  objections  and  we 
started. 

"We  can  easily  get  there  and  back  again  before 
dark,"  I  observed,  and  so  thought,  but  had  miscalcu- 
lated both  the  distance  and  my  ability  as  an  oars  wo- 
man. Had  our  course  been  direct,  we  might  have 
progressed  favorably,  but  I  knew  nothing  about  fixing 
a  point  on  shore  by  which  to  keep  the  boat  in  line,  so 
Arra  kept  constantly  bothering  me  with — 

"You're  too  far  to  the  right,"  or  "You're  too  far 
to  ths  left" — until  I  ardently  longed  to  box  her  ears, 
but  contented  myself  with  the  demand:  "Who  is  row- 
ing this  boat?" 

We  thus  described  a  course  which  might  have 
suggested  the  "worm"  fence  seen  in  rural  districts. 

Outside  we  encountered  a  passing  steamer.  I  was 
somewhat  alarmed,  having  heard  of  small  boats  being 
run  down  by  larger  craft;  but  we  got  by  without  dif- 


UNDER  A  STEAMER'S  HEADLIGHTS. 


115 


ficulty,    and    my    fear    of  steamers  was  at  once  dis- 
sipated. 

The  sun  went  down  under  a  cloud  which  rose  to 
meet  it,  and  we  missed  the  sunset  scene  which  we  had 
previously  anticipated.  Other  clouds  came  up  and 
overspread  the  sky.  Twilight  shades  were  gathering, 
and  still  we  had  not  reached  our  destination. 

"It  seems  as  though  we  should  never  get  there," 
observed  Arra. 

"We're  bound  to  get  there,"  I  replied,  buckhng  in 
energetically.  It  was  beginning  to  get  dark  when  we 
reached  the  island, 

"Let's  not  land,"  pleaded  Arra  nervously.  "No- 
body lives  there  but  an  old  hermit,  and  I'm  afraid," 

Now,  on  this  bit  of  terra  firma  was  an  old  tree 
with  a  big  eagle's  nest.  The  nest  was  the  nearest  ap- 
proach to  an  eagle  I  had  ever  known,  and  I  could  ill 
brook  the  disappointment  of  not  seeing  it.  Once  more, 
then,  I  overruled  Arra's  objections,  and  we  quietly 
beached  the  boat. 

"We'll  arm  ourselves  with  sticks,  and  if  the  hermit 
comes  out  of  his  hut  yonder  we'll  go  for  him." 

I  seized  a  fragment  of  ship  timber  that  had  washed 
ashore.  A/ra  pick':fd  up  a  broken  lath,  also  tossed  up 
by  the  waves,  and  we  quietly  stole  along  a  gravelly 
stretch,  and  were  soon  beneath  the  eagle  tree.  The 
big  nest  in  its  top,  outlined  against  the  sk}'^,  was  built 
of  twigs  and  small  limbs  of  trees.  After  a  moment's 
contemplation  thereof,  we  hastened  back  to  our  boat. 
"Dear  me,  how  dark  it  is  getting,  but  never  mind, 
we're  homeward  bound." 


I, 

II! 

J' 

1!  ife:'  I 


'.|i 


'     J,  ■' 


■m': 


m.'' 


>' 


I'i' 


Iff 


116 


UNDER  A  STEAMER'S  HEADLIGHTS, 


I' 


11'",' 


i       M 


1     ■ 


\  .  Ih 


I  adjusted  the  oars  and  we  were  off.  There  was 
no  moon,  and  only  an  occasional  star  appeared 
through  cloud  rifts.  The  zephyr  had  freshened  to  a 
breeze,  a  strong  current  was  setting  through  the  chan- 
nel, and  we  made  even  slower  progress  than  when 
coming. 

"I'd  like  to  know  what  ails  this  old  boat,  I  can't 
keep  it  straight  !"  It  did  behav'e  very  b:idly  wi^h  the 
current  against  it.  My  hands,  too,  were  blistered,  and 
I  was  getting  very  tired,  but  I  steered  as  well  as  I 
could  by  a  light  gleaming  from  a  cottage  window  in 
the  cove  from  which  we  had  started.  To  while  the 
tedium,  we  began  telling  stories.  I  was  in  the  midst 
of  a  narration,  when  Arra  interrupted  me. 

"Say,  we  had  better  hurry  and  get  out  of  the  way, 
the  Jay  Cooke  is  coming." 

"I  don't  care  anything  about  the  Jay  Cooke,"  1  re- 
plied and  resumed  m}'  story. 

A  few  minutes  passed,  and  Arra  again  poked  me 
up  with  the  remark : 

"1  think  you'd  better  keep  the  boat  straight  and  row 
faster;  the  steamer  is  not  far  off,  and  coming  right  this 


way 


1/ 


•'Do  let  her  come;  we're  here  first." 

I  would  not  deign  a  look,  and  so  persistently  re- 
turned to  my  story.  1  did  not  finish  it,  however,  for 
Arra  again  broke  in: 

"If  you  don't  row  faster  we'll  be  run  down,  just  as 
sure  as  the  world  !  It's  so  dark  they  can't  see  us,  and 
she's  coming  straight  toward  us." 

The  churning  of  the  steamer's  big  wheels  did  sound 
ominously  near,  and  for  the   first   time  I  turned  and 


nd 
nd 


UNDER  A  STEAMER'S  HEADLIGHTS. 


117 


looked.  She  was  indeed  but  a  short  distance  away, 
and  1  saw  that  we  were  directly  in  her  course,  her  port 
and  starboard  lights  glaring  full  upon  us.  I  felt  a  sud- 
den alarm,  but  confident  of  being  ab.e  to  clear  her, 
began  pulling  with,  all  my  might.  At  that  place,  how- 
ever, the  channel  curved  visibly  to  avoid  hidden  rocks» 
and  veering  to  starboard,  the  steamer  appeared  to  fol- 
low us.  My  alarm  grew,  while  strength  began 
failing.  My  hands  trembled,  and  despite  every  ex- 
ertion the  progress  of  the  boat  was  scarcely  percep- 
tible. The  steamer  was  now  but  a  few  yards  distant, 
and  coming  at  full  speed.  The  thunder  ot  her  great 
wheels  sounded  frightful,  and  her  red  and  green  eye's 
blazed  down  upon  us  like  those  of  a  monster. 

I   spoke   not  a   word,   but   my   thoughts    were   all 
awhirl. 

"She  is  following  us;  we  must  turn  and  row  the 
opposite  way  !"  flashed  through  my  mind. 
-^  "No,  there's  but  a  moment  left;  before  I  cai  turn 
the  boat  she  will  have  passed  over  us  !"  flashed  back. 
I  made  another  effort  to  send  the  boat  forward,  but 
my  hands  were  nerveless. 

"  'Tis  useless;  we  are  lost  !  Another  instant  and 
we  shall  be  under  her  wheels  !  In  the  darkness  her 
crew  will  never  know,  and  we  shall  be  left  to  our 
fate." 

These  were  some  of  the  thoughts  that  spun  through 
my  brain  while  the  red  and  green  eyes  of  the  monster 
loomed  above  us,  holding  mine  by  the  spell  of  their 
fascination.  Already  life  and  consciousness  seemed 
slipping  away.  She  was  upon  ns.  We  were  directly 
under  her  bow  and  awaiting  the  final  shock  when — 


I  i? 


!  ' 


iU'; 


^■'!t;i  I 


i  i 


118 


UNDER  A  STEAMER'S  HEADLIGHTS. 


was  it  luck  or  Providence  ? — she  suddenly  veered. 
Whether  by  accident  or  whether  the  pilot  sighted  the 
struggling  boat  1  will  probably  never  know,  but  an 
instant  turn  of  the  helm  "hard  a-port"  saved  us  as  by 
a  hair's  breadth.  The  steamer  passed  us  close;  our 
boat  trembled  and  was  nearly  swamped  by  the  great 
waves  from  her  wheels.  It  was  some  moments  before 
we  fully  recovered  our  senses.  The  steamer  was  then 
far  past,  and  taking  the  oars,  which  had  fallen  from 
my  hands,  I  headed  the  aimlessly  drifting  boat  toward 
our  destination. 

"I  hope  after  this  experience  you'll  know  better 
than  to  toy  with  steamers." 

Arra  spoke  wrathfully  and  reproachfully,  but  thor- 
oughly humiliated  1  answered  never  a  word.  1  heard, 
nevertheless,  and  heeded  her  wise  counsel,  and  will 
continue  to  heed  it  to  the  end  of  my  days. 


s 


WINTER  AT  AN  ISLAND  RESORT. 


One  may  travel  the  country  over  without  striking  a 
locaHty  in  which  the  contrast  between  winter  and  sum- 
mer is  so  strongly  marked  as  at  an  island  resort,  so 
complete  is  the  revolution  from  scenes  of  exuberant 
life  as  witnessed  during  the  gay  season — to  silence 
and  desertion  entailed  by  the  rigors  of  winter,  that  the 
place  seems  almost  to  lose  its  identity.  Such  at  least 
is  the  impression  received  by  individuals  having  occasion 
to  visit  Put-in-Bay  at  both  seasons  of  the  year.  Shut 
in  by  icy  fetters  which  interlock  bay  and  channel, 
communication  by  steamer  with  all  lake  towns  and 
cities,  excepting  that  of  Sandusky,  is  entirely  cut  off, 
and  though  comparatively  near,  even  this  place  occas 
ionally  proves  as  inaccessible  to  island  dwellers  as  the 
north  pole  to  Arctic  navigators. 

So  uncertain  are  the  chances  of  the  journey  that 
but  few  of  the  class  known  as  "land  lubbers"  seek  the 
island  shores  during  the  ice  blockade.  Those  who  ven- 
ture across  have  experiences  sometimes  which  intimi- 
date them  from  future  enterprises  of  the  kind.  The  few 
visitors  seen  at  the  island  during  the  winter  are  mostly 
those  who  come  on  urgent  business,  or  are  lured  to  the 
place  by  curiosity,  both  to  see  how  its  isolated  inhabi- 
tants live  and  how  the  place  appears  en  dishabille.  In 
looking  tor  accommodations  the  stranger  finds  the 
hotels  deserted  by  guests  not  only,  but  frequently  by 


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IS 


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120 


WINTER  A  r  AN  ISLAND  RESORT. 


the  proprietors  as  well.  Only  the  watchmen  keep 
daily  and  nightly  vigil  under  the  massive  walls  of  Hotel 
Victory,  but  a  side  door  entrance  may  sometimes  be 
found  into  some  of  the  smaller  hostelries  and  a  board- 
ing house  or  two  keep  open  doors  for  the  benefit  of 
adventurers. 

The  tramp  never  seeks  the  winter  attractions  of 
Put-in-Bay  and  peddlers,  book  agents  and  solicitors  for 
patents  seldom  show  up  to  vex  the  islander's  soul. 

The  pretty  summer  cottages  and  club  resorts  are  all 
vacant;  the  windows  closely  shuttered,  the  gates  locked, 
while  the  snow  on  the  gravel  walks  lies  unbroken  save 
by  footprints  of  sparrows  and  of  vagrant  cats  which 
rendezvous  about  them. 

At  the  "Bay"  dancing  pavillions,  bowling  alleys, 
boat  houses,  bathing  houses,  groves  and  gardens  are 
empty  now  as  were  "Tara's  Hall,"  whence  the  soul  of 
music  had  fled. 

During  the  day  when  the  island  denizens  are  busy 
at  their  homes,  or  engaged  in  amusements  and  occupa- 
tions on  the  ice,  the  observer  may  walk  from  end  to  end 
of  the  main  village  street  without  meeting  a  person. 
The  distant  ring  of  an  ax  or  hammer,  the  barking  of 
some  perturbed  canine,  the  voice  of  chanticleer,  or  pos- 
sibly the  rattle  of  a  wagon  are  about  the  only  sounds 
which  break  the  otherwise  oppressive  silence.  The 
visitor,  accustomed  to  the  rush  and  roar  of  the  city,  is 
especially  struck  by  the  absence  of  sound  indicative  of 
life  and  enterprise,  and  wonder  how  people  keep  alive 
in  a  place  so  dead.  The  inhabitant,  grown  accustomed 
to  quiet  surroundings,  however,  assumes  the  winter  to 
be  the  gayest  season  of  the  year.     After  a  busy  sum- 


WINTER  A  T  AN  ISLAND  RESORT. 


121 


mer  he  rests  contentedly,  and  if  the  ice  closes  in  early 
and  remains  solid  until  spring,  his  happiness  is  com- 
plete. An  iceless  winter  is  to  him  an  abomination  and 
little  wonder,  since  upon  good  ice  depend  so  largely 
both  his  winter  recreations  and  employments.  The 
inhabitants  represent  mixed  classes  and  nationalities. 
They  are  constitutionally  and  practically  independent, 
with  other  strongly  marked  characteristics. 

In  the  way  of  amusements  on  shore  an  amateur 
theatrical,  concert,  dance  or  masquerade  occasionally 
varies  the  monotony. 

The  island  church,  St.  Paul's  Reformed  Episcopal, 
built  and  donated  by  Jay  Cooke,  the  noted  Philadelphia 
banker,  affords  a  school  for  religion  and  morals. 

The  provident  islander  always  lays  in  ample  supplies 
for  winter  while  the  lake  is  unfrozen.  His  less  wise 
neighbor  provisioned  less  bountifully,  sometimes  runs 
short  of  the  comforts  and  necessities  of  life  at  a  time 
when  they  are  most  difficult  to  procure.  The  most 
calamitous  thing  that  can  happen  during  the  season  of 
broken  and  dangerous  ice,  however,  is  when  the  beer 
runs  dry,  with  no  way  to  obtain  a  fresh  supply. 

The  island  dweller  is  a  great  observer  of  the 
weather.  He  always  notes  from  which  quarter  the 
wind  blows,  and  by  the  depth  of  water  in  the  ice  open- 
ing, from  which  he  gets  his  household  supply,  marks  the 
daily  rise  and  fall  of  the  lake.  When  the  more  distant 
islands  loom  up,  and  appear  as  if  hung  in  space,  with  a 
strip  of  sky  under  them,  he  predicts  a  nor'easter,  which 
rarely  fails  to  materialize.  He  makes  a  daily  study  of 
the  weather  map  and  watches  the  storm  signals.  The 
central  idea,  however,  around  which  revolve  all  other 


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Sir- 


122 


WINTER  AT  AN  ISLAND  RESORT. 


■\ 


IS 


ideas,  and  which  dominates  during  the  winter  season 
the  island  dweller  is  comprehended  in  the  three  lettered 
word,  ice.  The  idea  is  omnipresent.  It  is  obtrusive, 
confronting  him  at  every  turn.  It  is  a  cold,  hard  fact 
which  deprecate  as  "he  may,  he  cannot  ignore.  It 
thwarts  or  favors  his  purposes,  and  enters  into  nearly 
everything  that  concerns  his  occupations  and  amuse- 
ments, and  with  an  interest  unflagging  he  watches  its 
making  and  shifting,  its  coming  and  going.  Ice  in 
quantities  illimitable  shuts  him  in  on  every  side;  ice 
sufficient  to  swamp  whole  empires  in  cooling  drinks  and 
iced  creams,  expands  its  trackless  plains  to  the  horizon 
where  ice  and  sky  blend  into  one. 

The  resident  islander  is  a  sort  of  amphibian,  and 
excepting  under  extraordinary  circumstances,  to  drown 
him  is  among  impossibilities.  There  are  few  enter- 
prises on  ice,  apparently,  too  hazardous  for  him  to 
undertake,  and  during  a  single  season  he  tempts  Provi- 
dence ofiener  than  he  has  fingers  and  toes.  He  breaks 
in  frequently,  but  by  some  "hook  or  crook"  usually 
gets  out  again ;  while  his  associates  treat  the  affair  as 
a  good  joke  rather  than  as  a  mishap  that  might  have 
ended  his  earthly  career.  Occasionally,  however,  there 
is  a  body  to  be  fished  from  under  the  ice,  if  not  car- 
ried away  by  undercurrents,  and  a  funeral  varies  the 
program. 

By  means  of  the  "ice  bridge"  connection  is  made 
with  neighboring  islands  and  the  mainland,  the  inhabit- 
ants passing  to  and  fro  on  foot  and  with  teams  when 
the  ice  is  solid;  with  boats  set  upon  sled  runners  when 
it  is  broken  and  running.  Under  stress  of  circum_ 
stances  may  be  seen  imitators  of  "Eliza,"  "Uncle  Tom's 


WINTER  AT  AN  ISLAND  RESORT. 


123 


Cabin"  celebrity,  performing  the  somewhat  stagey  feat 
of  making  both  speed  and  distance  on  foot  over  the 
floating  ice. 

Port  Clinton,  distant  fourteen  miles,  is  an  objective 
mainland  point  for  islanders.  Fish,  wine  and  other 
island  products  are  conveyed  thither  by  teams,  which 
on  returning  bring  loads  of  farm  produce,  lumber  and 
supplies  of  various  kinds.  When  the  ice  bridge  is  un- 
certain, these  teams  travel  near  each  other,  so  as  to 
render  mutual  assistance  in  case  of  accident.  They 
frequently  break  in  with  drivers  and  conveyances,  but 
by  means  of  a  hoisting  apparatus,  ropes  and  pike-poles, 
always  carried  along,  the  luckless  animals  are  extri- 
cated. Sometimes  the  poor  creatures  refuse  to  make 
an  effort,  and  are  drawn  under  and  drift  away  beneath 
the  ice.  The  only  way  to  induce  a  horse  to  help  him- 
self when  chilled  and  stupefied  is  by  choking  him  with 
a  rope  fastened  tightly  around  the  neck.  He  then 
begins  to  struggle  violently,  and  assisted  by  men  and 
ropes  regains  solid  ice.  In  some  instances  teamsters 
carry  with  them  strong  brandy  or  bourbon  wherewith 
to  warm  and  encourage  their  horses  in  case  of  immer- 
sion. If  not  required  by  equine  representatives  of  the 
party,  said  cordial  is  apt  to  find  other  ways  of  disposal. 

As  notable  examples  of  native  hardihood,  sagacity 
and  experience  in  ice  travel  may  be  cited  the  U.  S.  mail 
representati  ves  of  the  island  route.  In  accordance  with 
the  present  existing  postal  regulations,  mails  cross  the 
lake  twice  daily  between  Put-in-Bay  and  the  peninsula, 
with  tri-weekly  trips  to  and  from  Middle  Bass  and  Isle 
St.  George.  The  individual  selected  for  this  task  must 
be  a  live  man  in  every  sense  of  the  word.     He  must  be 


i     i 


I    j 


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<  -Si:-,  51 


'11 


!     \  H 


'    i 


4      , 


124 


WINTER  A  T  AX  ISLAND  RESORT. 


it 


DEPARTURE  OF  THE  ISLAND  MAIL. 

possessed  of  agility  and  alertness,  unflinching  courage 
and  physical  endurance.  He  must  thoroughly  under- 
stand the  ice,  its  foibbs  and  weaknesses;  must  know 
where  the  undercurrents,  which  wear  it,  are  strongest, 
and  be  able  to  locate  shoals  and  sunken  reefs — danger- 
ous to  the  ice  navigator  as  to  the  mariner.  With  a 
light  horse  and  cutter,  or  with  iron-sheeted  boat  made 
expressly  for  the  purpose,  he  daily  traverses  miles  of 
ice,  precarious  and  uncertain,  sometimes  dragging  the 
boat,  but  often  forcing  it  through  by  means  of  oars  and 
pike- poles;  and  he  must  work  his  cards  well  at  times 
to  prevent  being  caught  and  crushed  in  the  grinding 
drifts  that  sweep  down  upon  him. 

The  most  dangerous  period  of  travel  is  when  violent 
gales  have  extensively  broken  the  ice  and  piled  it  in 


WIXTER  AT  AN  ISLAXD  RESORT, 


125 


MAIL  ON  THE  WAY. 


slushy  gorges  many  ftet  in  depth.  On  days  when  even 
the  hardiest  knots  among  island  denizens  hug  closely 
the  stove  and  incessantly  smoke  their  pipes  to  keep 
warm,  the  mail  carrier  and  his  assistants  are  abroad 
on  the  lake.  On  one  occasion,  when  a  terrific  storm 
of  wind  and  snow  swept  Lake  Erie,  the  mail  cutter, 
accompanied  by  that  of  an  islander,  was  returning 
home.  Storm  coats  and  collars  notwithstanding,  the 
snow  and  sleet  cut  the  men's  faces  until  it  seemed  un- 
bearable. They  accordingly  took  turns  in  leading  the 
way,  the  slight  protection  afforded  by  the  advance  team 
proving  a  relief  to  the  one  following.  The  greatest 
danger  lay  in  the  snow,  which  covered  alike  the  good 
ice  and  the  bad.  Unable  to  choose  their  path,  they 
went  hap-hazard,  trusting  to  luck  for  solid  footing.  As 
frequently  happens,  luck  failed  them;  for  when  off 
Green  Island  down  went  the  carrier's  horse,  and  in  a 


I 


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126 


WINTER  AT  AN  ISLAND  RESORT. 


I 


Hh 


moment  it  was  floundering  in  the  water.  Aided  by 
the  horse  attached  to  the  cutter  following,  the  men 
succeeded  in  dragging  out  of  the  water  the  unfortunate 
leader.  In  consequence  of  hard  tugging  the  animal 
had  been  in  a  perspiration,  and  its  sudden  immersion 
so  benumbed  the  poor  creature  that  it  was  at  first 
unable  to  stand.  The  horse  was  given  a  thorough 
rubbing,  and  by  the  help  of  its  equine  friend,  to  which 
it  was  fastened,  was  enabled  at  last  to  proceed,  the 
party  finally  reaching  Put-in-B<iy. 

On  another  occasion  a  party  had  made  the  trip  to 
Port  Clinton  and  were  returnmg  laden  with  mer- 
chandize, having  left  that  place  early  in  the  afternoon. 
The  snow  was  deep  and  very  compact,  and  the  travel- 
ling hard.  When  a  mile  or  two  on  their  way,  the 
horse  having  become  jaded  by  its  previous  fourteen 
miles  of  travel,  succumbed  to  weariness  and  refused  to 
proceed  farther.  No  other  alternative  presenting  they 
were  obliged  to  unhitch  the  animal,  and  leaving  the 
sled  and  its  unprotected  wares,  proceeded  on  foot. 
Owing  to  the  difficult  walking  the  men  soon  became 
very  tired,  and  varied  the  tedium  of  the  way  by 
mounting  and  riding  the  horse,  each  in  turn.  Even 
with  this  help  the  journey  grew  more  and  more  ex- 
haustive, and  before  they  were  near  their  destination  a 
rising  wind  and  a  howling  snow  storm  swept  down, 
bLtting  from  view  the  point  toward  which  they  were 
heading.  Night  came  on,  and  a  realization  that  they 
were  lost  on  the  ice  dawned  upon  them  with  uncom- 
fortable suggestions,  considering  the  fact  that  Lake 
Erie  is  a  big  place  for  waifs  and  strays  to  get  aboard 
on  a  night  of  storm  and  darkness.     In  one  place  they 


WINTER  AT  AN  ISLAND  RESORT. 


m 


struck  slush  ice  into  which  the  horse  sank  to  its  <rirth 
and  the  men  to  their  waists.  After  serious  difliculty 
they  succeeded  in  flounderinjr  out  of  this  unpleas- 
ant predicament  to  solid  footing.  Wet  and  bedrag- 
gled and  chilled  to  the  marrow,  man  and  beast 
were  obliged  to  keep  moving  to  prevent  being  frozen 
to  death,  even  at  the  risk  of  their  unguided  course 
leading  them  out  toward  the  open  lake.  Fortunately 
as  night  advanced,  the  snow  storm  cleared  suOlcit-ntly 
so  that  a  light  became  visible.  Guided  thereby  they 
finally  reached  home  at  a  late  hour.  Meantime,  friends 
on  the  island  becoming  alarmed,  had  started  out  with 
teams  and  lanterns  to  look  for  the  missing  party,  but 
finding  no  trace  thereof  returned  with  the  intention  of 
enlisting  other  assistance  and  extending  the  search. 
On  arrival  they  found  the  party  safel}'  ashore,  though 
nearly  dead  with  fatigue. 

Probably  one  of  the  most  hazardous  experiences 
ever  endured  on  the  island  mail  route,  however,  was 
during  the  winter  of  '97  and  '98  by  the  Hitchcock  broth- 
ers— U.  S.  mail  representatives.  Caught  in  a  storm 
and  running  ice,  they  were  carried  down  the  lake  by 
the  resistless  force  of  a  drift  in  which  they  became 
wedged.  The  boys  were  given  up  for  lost  by  the 
excited  islanders  who  at  various  points  thronged  the 
shores.  A  cablegram  wired  to  Kelley  Island  read: 
"Look  out  for  the  carriers;  they  are  fast  in  the  ice 
and  drifting  that  way." 

Howbeit,  to  the  intense  relief  of  all,  the  carriers 
succeeded  in  escaping  from  the  drift,  and  after  a  des- 
perate struggle  reached  shore. 

They  were  in  an  exhausted  condition  and  so  com- 


?  Ji 


ipWl'' 


\m 


I     ■      u 


:fi ' 


128 


WINTER  AT  AN  ISLAND  RESORT. 


pletely  covered  and  weighed  down  with  ice  as  to  be 
perfectly  helpless.  Their  caps  were  frozen  fast  to 
their  heads  and  their  garments  so  loaded  with  ice 
from  the  showering  spray  that  the  wearers  were  un- 
able to  bend. 

On  arrival  at  home   their  friends   were  obliged  to 
cut   and   tear   from   them  their   ice-a/mored  clothinii 


STR.  AMERICAN   EaGLE. 


which  they  exchanged  for  warm,  dry  garments.  After 
changing  more  than  a  bushel  of  ice  that  had  fallen  off 
in  the  process  was  swept  from  the  lioor. 

The  above  serve  as  fair  samples  of  adventures  on 
the  ice  plains  annually  taken  by  island  dwellers.  Space 
permitting,  scores  of  blood  curdling,  hair  lifting  ex- 
periences of  this  kind  might  here  be  narrated,  which 
would  afford  material  for  a  whole  series  of  sensational 
novels.     \s\  winter  the  steamer  American  Eagle  may 


-^ 


K 


?       ■)! 


«l 


'  il 


■  4        i 


i.        I  'SI 
'i  .'    Ill 'I 


VVIXTER  A  T  AX  ISLAND  RESORT. 


120 


—I 

o 

< 


•< 

u 

tr 

■< 

LU 


I- 


o 


be  justly  termed  "Queen  of  the  Islands."  Seen  be- 
side the  magnificent  steamers  of  the  Cleveland  and 
Detroit  lines  when  the  excursion  season  is  at  its 
height,  the  Eagle  shrinks  by  comparison,  but  when 
ice  twelve  to  eighteen  inches  in  thickness  extends  from 
island  to  mainland,  the  superior  prowess  of  this  ice 
battering  monitor  becomes  apparent.  The  Eagle  is  a 
craft  of  medium  size,  heavily  clad  in  sieel  armor  and  is 
built  and  ballasted  in  a  manner  which  enables  her  to 
keep  her  nose  well  out  of  water.  Running  thus  upon 
the  ice,  she  crushes  i!  bv  lier  weiuht.  The  steamer  is 
sailed  by  Capt.  Fred  Magle,  of  I'ut-in-lJay,  whose 
skill  is  equalled  only  by  his  courage.  Though  cap- 
able of  breaking  twenty-two  inches  of  solid  ice,  the 
running  expenses  are  heirtvy,  and  as  the  winter  freight 
and  passenger  tr.iilic  is  dull,  tlie  steamer  runs  but  a 
part  of  the  winter. 

Line  (ishin<r  throu<jh  the  ice  has  become  an  in- 
dustry  of  no  small  import... ;ce  among  the  islands. 
Villages  of  tiny  but  comfortable  tish  houses  dot  the 
lake  surface  at  a  distance  of  r.  mile  or  two  from  shore, 
and  during  a  single  season  fish  from  seventy-live  to  a 
hundred  tons  are  annually  caught  with  hook  and  line 
at  Put-in  Bay  alone.  These  are  shipped  over  the  ice 
to  mainland  market  towns  where  they  bring  a  good 
price. 

Occasionally  when  the  ice  weakens  and  becomes 
precarious,  these  venturesome  fishermen  allow  their 
aquatic  houses  to  remain  a  little  too  long  exposed,  and 
an  unlooked  for  parting  of  the  ice  carries  some  of 
them  away.  The  winter  of  1S97  and  '98  witnessed  a 
notable  disaster  of  this  kind.     Following  an  extended 


■       ■  T 

■.!.■<■■ 

i 

'% 

I 

! 

i 

iili 


i^: 


!i  ■ 

!  ■  I 
;  •  ) 


J  'I 


i  t 
)  ■ 


:  % 


1 

"■I'll 


M 


130 


WINTER  AT  AN  ISLAND  RESORT 


period  of  mild  weather,  a  gale  struck  suddenly  and 
with  great  violence.  The  wind  which  was  off  shore 
quickly  seamed  and  parted  the  ice  and  sent  adrift  a 
great  floe  containing  a  whole  village — nearly  lOO 
houses  and  about  seventy-five  people,  among  whom 
were  a  number  of  women.  Some  of  the  airy  domiciles 
were  blown  over.     White  caps  began  surging  around 


PLOWING  ICE. 


the  frail  ice  raft  and  fast  the  big  floe  began  drifting 
down  the  lake.  So  hard  blew  the  gale  that  the  be- 
leaguered villagers  could  scarcely  keep  their  feet,  and 
were  in  imminent  danger  of  b^ing  blown  into  the 
water. 

Consternation  reigned  not  only  on  the  drifting  floe 
but  on  shore,  which  was  soon  thronged  with  specta- 
tors. As  soon  as  boats  could  be  procured  and 
launched,  a  rescue  party  pulled  after  the  fugitive  fish- 


■  t :: 


WINTER  A  T  AN  ISLAND  RESORT. 


181 


ing  village.  After  serious  difficulty,  some  lively  work 
and  many  narrow  escapes,  the  castaways  were  all 
rescued,  but  many  of  the  houses  were  caught  and 
crushed  in  the  breaking  ice  or  carried  away  bodily 
with  all  their  belongings. 

The  cutting  and  storing  of  ice  affords  extended  oc- 
cupation to  day  laborers.  Immense  quantities  of  this 
commodity  are  stored  annually  in  the  houses  of  the 
Forest  City  company. 

Winter  recreations  of  the  island  young  people  are 
mainly  on  the  ice.  They  skate,  sail  and  sleighride  on 
the  ice  and  hold  afternoon  matinees  and  torch  light 
parties  thereon.  Skating  is  greatly  in  favor,  but  chief 
among    amusements     is    ice    yachting.     At   one   time 

Put-in-Bay  claimed  the  finest 
fleet  of  ice  yachts  on  the 
whole  chain  of  lakes,  rank- 
ing as  second  in  the  country^ 
being  ortrivalled  only  by  those 
on  the  Hudson  river.  A  com- 
modore and  other  officers  are 
appointed  to  direct  the  fleet  and 
pretty  and  suggestive  names, 
such  as  "Icicle,"  "Frost  Fairy," 
"Winter  King,"  and  "North 
Wind,"  are  bestowed  upon  these 
swift  flyers.  A  large  fleet  of 
ice  yachts  in  motion  is  an  inter- 
esting spectacle,  and  with  a 
crisp  breeze  on  smooth,  solid  ice,  ti^.v;  speed  of  a  mile  a 
minute  is  attained.  Moving,  as  they  do,  swifter 
than    the    wind,   they    sometimes  sail   away   from  it, 


\'^'-^\\ 

|^-=%# 


A  SAIL  SKATER. 


il: 


?    '  1.1 


5;iii 


132 


WINTER  AT  AN  ISLAND  RESORT. 


AN  ICt  YACHT— THE    "ICICLE." 


I!  !; 


and  come  almost  to  a  dead  stop  for  a  second  until 
the  wind  "catches  up."  Sa-ange  as  it  may  appear,  the 
yacht  makes  better  speed  with  a  quartering  wind,  than 
when  running  directly  before  it.  The  sport  is  very  ex- 
citing, though  not  without  its  dangers,  as  yachtsmen  are 
venturesome,  often  sailing  over  ice  so  thin  that  only 
the  great  speed  at  which  they  go  prevents  breaking 
in.  Accidents  likewise  occur  on  rough  ice  from 
"bucking"  yachts.  "Bucking"  is  occasioned  by  the 
yacht  striking  an  obstruction,  which  causes  an  em- 
phatic pause  on  its  part,  while  the  crew  and  passengers 
travel  on  quite  a  distance  iu  advance,  and  if  they  escape 
without  serious  injury  they  may  consider  themselves 
favored  by  the  gods.  Ladies  of  the  courageous  sort 
enjoy  ice  yachting,  but  the  timid  ones  prefer  looking  on. 


WINTER  A  T  AX  ISLAND  RESORT. 


i;^3 


I'Hc  breaking  up 
of  the  ice  after  a  hard 
winter  and  long 
freeze  involves  chaos, 
such,  we  imagine,  as 
must  have  brooded 
over  "the  great  void" 
before  the  spirit  of 
creative  power  mov- 
ed upon  the  face  of 
the  waters.  An  in- 
land sea  seeking  es- 
cRYSTALizED  ROCKS.  capc  froui  thralldom 

presents  \  spectacle  of  grandeur,  embodying  as  it  does 
the  warring  elements.  Advances  and  retreats  are 
mede  to  the  flourish  of  wind  trumpetS^.  Vast  plains  of 
ice  drive  down  with  the  weight  of  an  avalanche;  and 
on- rushing  waves,  a  force  of  equal  power,  meet  the 
icy  foe  and  shatter  and  channel  its  solid  line,  send- 
ing adrift  towering  masses,  solitary  burgs  and  crystal 
islets,  cragged  and  castellated.  The  waters  foam  and 
spout  and  surging  floes  crash  against  each  other,  filling 
the  air  with  a  roar  like  the  thunder  of  battle. 

On  windless  days  when  the  waters  rest  the  million 
shaped  ice  fragments  floating  upon  the  surface  show  a 
variety  of  beautiful  tintings  in  neutral  tones  of  grey  and 
white,  steely  blue  and  pearl,  which,  touched  by  the 
sun's  rays,  flash  with  iridescent  splendor,  each  glisten- 
ing point  a  prism.  With  its  pointed  rays  the  sun 
drills  the  ice  through  and  through  with  tubular  pores 
until  each  solid  mass  becomes  a  veritable  honey- 
comb, which  a  slight  blow  shatters  into  hundreds  of 


^  il 


I  ii 


l> 


'ill 

m 


'M 


l\ 


n 


3,  pi 


134 


WINTER  A  T  AN  ISLAND  RESORT. 


long  icicle-like  fragments.  Thus,  what  the  wind  does 
by  force,  the  sun  accomplishes  by  strategy;  for  when  the 
ice  is  once  in  this  condition,  the  end  is  near  and  like  a 
wraith  of  mist  at  sunrise,  it  vanishes  so  suddenly  that 
observers  wonder  what  became  of  it. 


n  : 


\  il 


•':^^: 


J  t ' 


CRYSTALIZED  FOLIAGE. 


AN  ICEQUAKE; 

Or,  The  Wreck  of  Herringtown. 

A  novel  place  was  Herringtown.  Other  villages 
might  boast  greater  wealth,  finer  architecture,  and  im- 
provements of  a  more  extensive  and  substantial  char- 
acter; but  for  location  and  the  peculiarity  of  its  general 
get-up,  this  little  burg  took  the  medal. 

Herringtown  was  an  aquatic  village,  containing 
about  sixty  houses.  Like  the  proverbial  mushroom,  it 
had  sprung  up  in  an  incredibly  brief  period,  and  had 
become  a  commercial  center  of  no  small  importance. 
It  was  situated  on  the  frozen  plains  of  Erie,  two  miles 
from  the  nearest  point  of  land,  with  a  coldly  desolate 
yet  magnificent  prospect  unrolling  upon  every  side. 
Ice,  ice  everywhere,  stretching  afar,  forming  rough 
broken  plains,  apparently  illimitable  in  extent.  The 
lake  had  frozen  during  a  heavy  blow,  and  the  mottled 
grey  and  white  of  shattered  floe  and  crowded  drift 
flecking  wide  its  surface  merged  into  the  grey  and  white 
of  bending  skies  which  curved  low  at  the  horizon  line 
to  meet  it.  The  only  breaks  in  this  icy  vastness  were 
the  haze-scumbled  dots  and  elongations  outlining  shapes 
of  islands,  large  and  small,  and  a  narrow  strip  of  water, 
black-blue,  a  few  miles  to  eastward,  where  the  lake 
had  opened. 

Herringtown  was  the  exclusive  resort  of  fisher- 
men, who  made  a  living  during  the  winter  by  catching 


!::■ 


I       i 


li 

'm 


h 


it! 


!  ^ 


'i  r 


1  '■  :    ! 


il 


I  i! 


!:l 


!i 


.il,P' 


130 


/^A^  ICEQUAKE. 


fish  through  the  ice.  Contrary  to  the  usual  method  of 
building,  the  houses  which  they  occupied  were  first 
constructed,  then  moved  to  the  locations  selected,  upon 
runners,  which  formed  the  foundation  of  each.  These 
houses  were  necessarily  small.  Some  were  rudely  fin- 
ished; others  triumphs,  in  tlieir  way, of  the  builder's  art. 
The  framework  of  each  was  of  wood;  but  while  some 
were  boarded  up  in  the  conventional  manner,  others 
appeared  in  exterior  coverings  of  heavy  canvas  securely 
tacked,  and  made  impervious  to  wind  and  rain  by  coat- 
ings of  oil  and  paint.  Each  householder  exhibited  a 
pardonable  pride  in  his  own  individual  domicile,  and 
vied  with  his  neighbor  in  embellishing  both  interior 
and  exterior.  Some  of  these  structures  vividly  blushed 
under  liberal  applications  of  Indian  red  and  vermillion; 
some  basked  in  lemon  and  strawberry  tints  and  sun- 
flower yellow.  A  few  wore  unpretentious  wood  colors, 
and  one  or  two  reveled  in  cream.  Tiny  windows  with 
real  glass  looked  from  the  gable  ends  of  eacii,  and  a 
stovepipe  chimney  protruding  from  the  roof  sent  up- 
ward soft  ringlets  of  smoke,  telling  of  cosy  warmth 
within. 

True,  there  were  no  clearly  defined  plans  as  to  the 
laying  out  of  Herringtown.  Its  streets  were  slightly 
erratic  as  to  course,  and  some  of  the  houses  turned 
their  backs  upon  these  thoroughfares  in  the  most  un- 
conventional manner.  Pavings  of  good,  solid  ice  did 
away  with  every  suggestion  of  mud;  but  as  the  inhab- 
itants were  too  metropolitan  in  notions  and  too  aris- 
tocratic in  tastes  to  tolerate  fenced-m  houses,  there 
were  no  restrictions  as  to  dooryards.  Since  none  of 
the  inhabitants  engaged  in  gardening  or  poultry  rais- 


AN  ICEQUAKE, 


m 


ing,  however,  there  was  no  clashing  of  interests  along 
these  lines,  and  peace  and  harmony  reigned  throughout 
the  village. 

I^ere,  as  in  other  boroughs,  was  developed  an  ear 
for  poetical  euphony,  and  Herringtown  fairly  reveled 
in  poetical  appliances  as  to  names  of  streets,  avenues 
and  parks.  Besides  "Herringtown"  proper,  there  were 
"Herring  Center,"  "Pickerel  Station,"  "Catfish  Cross- 
ing," "Perchville,"  "Saugersville,"  and  "Piketown" — 
all  suburban  annexes. 

In  big  letters  done  in  white  chalk  across  a  brown 
front  at  the  corner  of  the  principal  street  appeared  a 
sign  which  read: 


I  M 


i<  I, 


ilfi 


89 


I  a 


BASS  &  TROUTMAN, 

Wholesale  and  Retail  Dealers  in 

FRESH   FISH. 


® 


M 


8fi 


To  this  emporium  fish  buyers  from  the  surround- 
ing islands  came  with  teams  each  morning,  and  hav- 
ing struck  satisfactory  bargains,  loaded  their  sleds  with 
the  commodity  and  set  out  for  the  market  towns  of 
the  mainland. 

Such,  in  brief,  was  Herringtown  in  its  palmiest 
day-*;  but  at  the  period  wherem  opens  our  story, 
rumors  of  gradually  weakening  ice  came  with  a  dis- 
turbinsf  effect  to  its  inhabitants,  the  mild  south  winds 
and  beating  sunshine  having  honeycombed  it  in  many 
places.  Captain  Dubb's  mare  and  cutter  and  himself 
and  old  woman  broke  in  off  shore,  and  would  all 
have   been   drowned  but   for  other  teams  with  their 


,1    ! 


1    ,  ^    ' 

<  :| 

♦    !* 

1 

:; 

i 

I    I 


138 


AN  ICEQUAKE 


VIEW  IN  HERRINGTOWN. 

drivers  going  that  way.  They  were  safely  fished 
out,  but  the  mare  and  the  old  woman  got  severely 
chilled,  and  the  latter  had  her  fur  fascinator  and  alliga- 
tor skin  satchel  carried  away  under  the  ice. 

Such  was  one  of  the  many  reports  brought  to  Her- 
ringtown  concerning  the  treacherous  condition  of  the 
ice.  Even  skaters  had  broken  in,  and  an  ice  j^acht  with 
a  party  on  board  had  narrowly  escaped  being  engulfed. 
Prophecies  of  an  early  break-up  were  rife,  and  some 
of  the  Herringtown  inhabitants  began  moving  in  nearer 
shore  their  portable  houses.  But  with  the  character- 
istic recklessness  and  perverseness  common  to  the 
islanders,  many  of  these  denizens  refused  to  budge, 
insisting  that  the  ice  was  "all  right,"  and  would  be  for 
two  weeks  to  come.  They  were  having  a  good  run 
of  pickerel  and  sauger,  and  receiving  good  prices  for 
the   same,   and   disliked    to   abandon   their   excellent 


!  1 


AN  ICE  QUAKE. 


139 


grounds;  and  so,  after  a  thinning-out  had  taken  place 
in  the  hshing  vilhige,  quite  a  district  was  still  left  of 
this  "hub"  of  the  archipelago. 

Among  those  who  remained  was  an  islander  known 
as  "The  Sliad,"  but  whose  real  name  was  Tom  Ste- 
vens. Tom  was  tall  and  shadowy  as  to  substance,  but 
an  excellent  man.  He  had  run  for  mayor  of  Her- 
ringtown,  but  was  beaten  by  "Fishy"  Finaflopper,  a 
solid  citizen  who  tipped  the  scales  at  280  pounds  avoir- 
dupois, and  was  likewise  a  manipulator  of  ponderous 
and  progressive  fish  stories.  Tom  had  retired  to  pri- 
vate life  and  his  own  domicile,  known  as  "Shadburrow 
Cottage,"  which  stood  in  a  side  street,  and  to  whom  we 
will  now  introduce  the  reader.  The  interior  was  com- 
fortably furnished.  From  a  tiny  soft  coal  burner  that 
stood  in  one  corner  radiated  a  genial  warmth.  On 
the  stove  steamed  a  coffee  pot,  and  the  atmos- 
phere was  redolent  of  baked  fish.  A  window  six  by 
eight  inches  commanded  a  view  of  Mayor  Finaflopper's 
premises  across  the  way.  A  colored  chromo  represent- 
ing the  battle  of  Lake  Erie,  together  with  some  flam- 
ing newspaper  pictures,  a  storm  signal  card  and  an 
Ayer's  almanac  adorned  the  walls.  Ranged  along  a 
rude  shelf  were  a  few  dishes  and  cooking  utensils,  and 
above  it  hung  a  cracked  looking-glass.  A  locker  and 
three  stools  comprised  the  furniture.  In  the  center  of 
the  wooden  floor  was  a  large  square  hole,  with  a  corre- 
sponding aperture  cut  through  the  ice  beneath  it.  On 
opposite  sides  of  this  opening  were  seated  the  "Shad," 
otherwise  Tom  Stevens,  and  his  hired  man  Jack,  en- 
gaged in  operating  the  minnow -baited  lines.'  A  tin 
pail  containing  minnows  and  a  box  filled  with  fishing 


fi^ 


I : 


''}>  i 


1 1 


:M! 


! 


T 


i''  i 


a! 


i  I  y: 


IP  in'lln: 


140 


AA  ICEQUAKK. 


tackle  stood  near,  while  a  litter  of  fish,  comprising  all 
sorts  and  sizts,  flopped  lustily  on  the  floor. 

Both  fishermen  looked  down-in-the-mouth.  Tom 
had  had  very  indifferent  luck  all  day  and  was  just 
then  wrestling  with  a  huge  water  lizard  that  had 
caught  the  hook  and  woefully  tangled  his  line. 

He  had  "goldarned"  the  "pesky  critter"  until  it 
was  nearly  paralyzed.  Having  finally  disposed  oi  the 
nuisance  he  aiose  in  disgust. 

"Guess  I'll  go  home.  MaA'  wants  the  stove  pipe 
cleaned,  and  the  chickens  want  their  feed  before  dark, 
and  other  chores  want  doing." 

All  afte»*noon  there  had  been  a  whipping  breeze. 
Sharp  cracks  and  noUovv  rumbles  under  the  ice  were 
heard,  with  reverberations  like  distant  thunder,  and 
the  r>ky  was  gray  with  clouds  which  thickened  as 
evening  drew  on. 

"The  wagons  are  coming  across  from  Canada," 
muttered  Tom,  referring  to  a  local  legend,  as  he 
listened  to  the  hollow  rumblings  beneath  his  feet.  He 
adjusted  to  his  feet  a  pair  of  "creepers"  to  prevent 
slipping  on  the  ice  and  loading  a  handsled  with  fish, 
set  out  for  shore. 

"You  can  bring  the  girls  home  and  the  rest  of  the 
fish,"  he  called,  looking  back  at  Jack. 

Jack  muttered  something  in  reply,  wliich  was  not 
quite  intelligible,  and  Tom  went  his  way.  The  girls 
to  whom  he  referred  were  his  daughter  Randa  and 
Dolly  Finaflopper,  who  hiad  come  out  to  fish — as  the 
wives  and  daughters  of  Herringtovvn  fishermen  were 
accustomed  sometimes  to  do. 

Now  Jack  and  Randa  were  keeping  "steady  com- 


.4X  rCE(2UAKE. 


141 


pany,"  but  Jack  wid  caught  his  sweetheart  in  a  fancied 
flirtation  that  afu-noon  with  Moses  Horner  and  was 
howling  mad.  He  had  spoken  some  hasty  words, 
and  Randa  had  gone  off  in  a  pout  to  Mayor  Finallop- 
per's  establishment,  accompanied  by  Dolly. 

At  any  other  time  Jack  would  have  jumped  for 
joy  at  the  prospect  of  seeing  tl>>e  girls  home  and  would 
have  made  an  t-arly  offer  of  his  escorts  but  in  his  pres- 
ent frame  of  mind  he  wrathful!}  repudiated  the  idea. 
To  himself  he  muttered,  and  i^^rked  as  savagely  upon 
the  line  as  if  he  had  gjt  Most-,-  Horner  at  the  end 
of  it 

"They  can  see  themselves  ho^rie  or  get  Mose 
Horner  to,  I'll  be  blamed  if  I  do.  If  they  wait  for  li.e 
they'll  wait  till  midnight." 

Randa  was  too  angry  and  too  independent  to  ask 
any  favors  of  Jack,  but  still  she  watched  and  waited, 
hoping  that  he  might  yet  relent  and  come  for  them. 
Twilight  brought  deepening  shadows,  but  no  Jack. 
The  rumbling  sounds  under  the  ice  had  increased, 
when  suddenly  there  was  a  roar  and  a  jar  that  shook 
Herringtown.     The  girls  screamed. 

It's  nothing,"  said  Mayor  Finallopper,  hastening 
to  allay  their  fears. 

"One  of  the  wagons  broke  in  coming  across  from 
Canada,  1  reckon,"  he  said,  smiling  at  his  littie  joke,  but 
he  warned  the  girls  that  they  must  be  off  at  once.  The 
wind  was  blowing  strong  and  steady,  the  skies  were 
lowering  and  the  night  would  be  dark. 

Mayor  Finallopper  took  Dolly  and  Randa  under  his 
escort.  They  had  not  gone  far  when  they  were 
startled  by  shouts  of  the  fishermen,  who  had  preceded 


'.  iR  ( I'f 

■mm 


■:         ),1 


!  .1 


'mm 

'"'   ''Hi' 


if:' 


i 


\  1 1 


li 


I 


, 


'!'  ! 


l\  '] 


liir'ii^ 


;!| 


142 


^iV  ICEQUAKE. 


them  homeward  and  who  were  now  some  distance 
ahead. 

"What's  the  matter?"  yelled  Finaflopper. 

In  a  moment  came  back  the  answer:  "The  ice  has 
parted  and  we  are  adrift." 

"Great  Scott!"  ejaculated  the  Mayor. 

Consternation  was  depicted  in  the  girls'  faces. 
"Oh,  where  is  Jack.'^"  moaned  Randa;  but  Jack  crouch- 
ing Kice  a  great  bear  in  the  gathering  gloom  of  "Shad- 
burrow  cottage,"  hugged  himself  and  gloated  over  the 
sweetness  of  revenge,  all  unconscious  of  impending 
danger.  He  had  resolved  not  to.  stir  therefrom  until 
the  girls  were  safely  home  and  out  of  his  way.  True, 
he  heard  the  shouts  of  the  fishermen  whc  had  gone  on 
ahead,  but  supposing  it  only  "tomfoolery"  on  the  part 
of  his  comrades    paid  no  attention. 

A  vast  fi;'d  C'f  c. 'ikr.O'vV'-.  ^x;  ..-ni  h.-.c'  piricd  from  :he 
shore  ice.  V/nen  discov'c:red  tne  breacn  wa&  aiready 
fifty  yards  wide.  Under  the  irresistable  force  of  a 
strong  wind  this  great  floe  was  slowly,  hut  perct'ptibly 
moving  eastward,  gradually  gaining  a  momentum  that 
threatened  destruction  to  itself  and  to  all  other  objects 
within  its  power.  The  lake  was  in  fact  breaking  up. 
In  the  teeth  of  such  a  wind  the  floe  could  not  long  hold 
together  and  might  in  a  short  time  break  into  a  thousand 
sections.  There  was  every  prospect  of  a  violent  storm, 
and  within  an  hour  or  two  the  solid  foundation  upon 
which  they  now  stood  might  be  ground  into  powder. 
The  awful  possibilities  of  the  night  were  such  in  fact 
as  to  cause  a  creeping  at  the  hearts  of  even  these  hardy 
fishermen,  brave  to  recklessness  as  they  were.  It  was 
now  too  dark  for  friends  on  shore  to  perceive  the  danger 


AN  ICEQUAKE. 


143 


which  threatened  the  castaways.  All  that  remained 
for  them  was  to  shout  for  help,  but  the  wind  was  off 
shore  and  the  shore  a  mile  distant,  and  though  they 
shouted  themselves  hoarse,  no  answer  came  back. 

"Where  is  Jack?"  again  repeated  Miranda. 

The  fishermen  had  niw  gathered  in  a  huddle,  but 
he  was  not  with  them. 

"Ashore,  I  suppose,"  replied  a  grizzled   fisherman. 

"But  how  could  he  get  ashore?" 

"Went  before  the  ice  broke  up,  of  course." 

Randa  wrung  her  hands. 

"Oh,  Jack!  Jack!  how  could  you  be  so  cruel." 

Another  crack  and  a  booming  jar  attracted  the 
listeners. 

"Tne  floe  has  split  somewhere,"  observed  one. 

Peering  anxiously  through  the  gloom  they  per- 
ceived less  than  twenty  yards  away  a  long,  dark  rift, 
which  momentarily  grew  wider.  The  field  had  broken 
in  two. 

Seated  before  the  dying  firelight  of  "Shadburrow 
cottage,"  meditating  profoundl}-  upon  his  grievances. 
Jack  became  dimly  conscious  of  a  lifting  motion  beneath 
the  floor  like  that  of  a  smooth  but  irresistable  swell. 
At  the  same  time  he  heard  the  colTee  pot  dance  on  the 
stove.  The  warning  was  sijjnificant  and  an  inkHnt''  of 
the  situation  suddenly  flashed  upon  him.  With  a 
spring  he  darted  from  the  place.  At  last  he  knew  the 
meaning  of  the  shouts  he  had  heard.  In  a  few  minutes 
he  was  with  the  waiting  group,  arriving  at  the  spot 
where  they  had  gathered,  excited  and  breathless. 

Terrified  beyond  measure,  both  the  girls  were  on 
the  verge  of  hysterics.     In  a   fatherly    way    Ma3/or 


u 


' 


f 


fe::,     ;j 


144 


AAT  ICEQUAKE. 


Finaflopper  was  trying  to  pacify  one,  while  the  other 
was  clasped  protectingly  in  the  arms  of  Moses  Horner. 
The  "green-eyed  monster  again  took  possession  of 
Jack.  He  doubled  his  fist  and  was  about  to  let  -drive 
at  Horner's  nose,  when  he  discovered  his  mistake — it 
wasn't  Randa  at  all  that  *Moses  held  so  lovingly;  for 
the  next  instant  Randa  pounced  upon  him  with 

"Oh  Jack!  Oh  Jack;  I'm  so  glad,  I'm  so  glad." 

Well,  there  was  of  course  the  usual  scene,  better 
imagined  than  described,  over  which  we  will  let  fall 
the  curtain. 

The  high  pitched  voice  of  Mayor  Finaflopper  now 
broke  in  with  its  inspiriting  strain. 

"Don't  any  of  you  be  skeered  and  don't  give  up; 
the  folks  on  shore  aint  a  goin'  to  let  us  go  by  the  board. 
They'll  miss  us,  and  as  soon  as  they  find  out  what's 
happened,  they'll  be  out  after  us  with  boats." 

The  mayor  was  right.  The  absent  ones  not  re- 
turning, investigations  were  made,  the  situation  dis- 
covered and  the  alarm  given.  In  a  short  time  a  rescue 
panv  with  boats,  lanterns,  ropes,  pike  poles,  and 
whatever  was  deemed  necessary  for  the  undertaking, 
was  on  its  way  to  the  scene  of  distress. 

Along  the  line  of  shore  ice  which  still  held  intact, 
twinkled  a  host  of  moving  lights  and  the  imperiled 
fishermen  knew  that  their  friends  were  coming. 

Once  more  a  shout  went  up,  and  this  time  came 
back  an  answer.  A  number  of  boats,  which  were 
launched  and  manned,  pulled  after  the  fugitive  floe  with 
long  and  rapid  strokes,  and  within  an  hour  the  casta- 
ways were  all  rescued.  Quantities  of  lish  and  articles 
of  value  from  the  fishing  village  were  also  removed  and 


AN  ICE  QUAKE. 


145 


several  of  the  light,  portable  houses  were  towed 
across  the  now  widely  open  lake  by  means  of  ropes 
and  thus  saved,  but  a  number  of  these  structures  which 
could  not  be  reached  were  carried  away  in  the  general 
break  up.  Among  them  was  "Shadburrow"  cottage 
and  all  its  belongings.  Engrossed  by  his  solicitude  for 
Randa,  Jack  never  even  thought  of  it.  With  its  wreck 
he  lost  a  pair  of  new  skates,  his  second  best  overcoat, 
a  hand  sled  and  a  lot  of  fish,  but  he  didn't  care  for  "the 
whole  durned  outfit,"  as  long  as  Randa  was  safe — so 
at  least  he  declared. 

Not  a  vestige  of  Ilerringtown  was  visible  the  next 
morning.  As  if  by  magic  had  it  vanished  in  a  night, 
and  over  the  spot  where  it  had  flourisned  rolled  a  tur- 
bulent sea,  bearing  upon  its  crested  waves  masses  of 
ice  drift,  which,  shattered  into  a  million  shapes,  pre- 
sented a  spectacle  seeming  the  very  person) ^cation  of 
chaos. 


;l 


1 


m 


le 

j-e 
h 


id 


:| 


I  >' 


i'\ 


ij  'i 


i' 


ROMANCE  OF  THE  ICE  PLAINS. 


A  young  country  girl  of  poetic  temperament  and 
romantic  ideas  was  Nettie  Blake.  Anything  real  or 
imaginary,  combining  in  its  make-np  a  semblance  of 
novelty  or  variety,  appealed  to  her  sensibility.  With 
these  natural  tendencies,  she  was  fond,  intensely  fond> 
of  sight-seeing  and  adventure;  but  her  poor  little  life 
had  been  narrowed  down  to  the  limits  of  a  very  common- 
place neighborhood,  burrowed  like  a  partridge  nest  in 
the  midst  of  an  extensive  farming  district. 

A  little  brown  house  on  her  father's  little  farm  was, 
the  only  home  that  Nettie  had  ever  known,  and  al- 
though very  comfortable,  and  she  loved  in  a  general 
way  its  surroundings,  th-^  girl  longed  for  a  change — the 
more  ardently  longed  when  the  family  newspaper  made 
its  weekly  visitations  to  inform  her  concerning  the  great 
world  and  its  doings;  of  its  stir  and  enterprise,  its 
strange  sights,  its  wide  prospects,  and  its  panoramic 
scenes  of  beauty  and  magnificence.  In  novels,  too,  she 
had  read  —while  her  mother  softly  chided — about  the 
great  world's  heroes  and  heroines;  of  its  storied  beauty 
and  bravery,  bold  adventure  and  tragic  situation,  chiv- 
alrous deeds  and  daring — until  two  worlds  instead  of 
one  grew  upon  her  consciousness :  the  one  apparent  to 
outer  sense,  the  other  to  an  inner  perception;  the  one 
real,  the  other  ideal. 


I>l 


ROMANCE  OF  THE  ICE  PLAINS. 


147 


The  people  of  the  neighborhood  were  old-fashioned, 
slow,  plodding  rustics,  prosaic  in  ideas,  uncultured  in 
manners.  They  read  little,  and  thought  and  cared  less 
concerning  matters  beyond  the  affairs  of  everyday  life, 
farm  duties  and  neighborhood  gossip. 

Two  or  three  little  villages  were  within  reach  of 
Nettie's  home,  but  they  were  dull,  poky  places.  Ev^en 
the  largest  and  liveliest  seemed  half  asleep.  Only  twice 
could  she  remember  having  seen  the  place  fully  awake — 
once  when  "Barnum's  Greatest  Show  on  Earth" 
chanced  to  strike  it  like  the  tail  of  a  great  comet,  driv- 
ing the  inhabitants  nearly  frantic  with  e:.citement;  then 
again  when  the  governor  of  the  state,  an  ex-member 
of  the  legislature  and  the  town  mayor  addressed  a 
political  gathering  on  the  square,  and  a  brass  band 
played  "Hail  Columbia"  and  "Marching  Through 
Georgia."  On  these  important  occasions,  as  she  re- 
membered, all  the  farmers  for  miles  around  had  flocked 
to  town  with  wives,  children  and  sweethearts,  and  all 
the  roads  approaching  were  lined  with  "buck-boards," 
piano  box  buggies  and  big  grain  wagons  drawn  by 
heavy  farm  horses,  and  the  country  had  virtually  taken 
possession  of  the  town.  People  congregated  upon  the 
streets,  crowding  densely  the  narrow  pavements,  and 
forming  a  wondrous  conglomeration,  with  rustic  hu- 
manity largely  in  preponderance.  Country  youths 
appeared  in  every  style  of  apparel,  from  blue  drilling 
overalls  and  cowhide  boots  to  more  pretentious  suits, 
showy  neckwear  and  abundant  jewelry.  Lanky,  wide- 
mouthed  specimens  of  the  (renus  homo  were  there,  with 
frowsy  locks  and  hayseed  clinging  to  their  coat  collars. 
They  rolled  from  cheek  to  cheek  prodigious  quids  and 


1.' 

1  ; 

■  '  •  ( 

i       « 

\ 

''  '.    '• 

• 

1" 

>    ! 

■i 

.  1 

"I 


ii 


ii 


I'  i1  ': 


«9«i 


w 


li 


3i^ 

Iti 


1! 


148 


ROMANCE  OF  THE  ICE  PLAINS. 


expectorated  freely — now  and  then  sending  up  a  vocif- 
erous *'hip,  hip,  hurrah." 

"Look  at  the  goslin<;s!" 

Nettie  was  in  the  cro*vd  and  her  attention  was 
attracted  by  tliis  uncomphmentary  observation.  The 
"goslings"  indicated  proved  to  be  a  neighbor's  son?, 
and  she  mentally  compared  them  with  her  ideal  heroes, 
was  disgusted  at  the  contrast  and  went  home  more  dis- 
satisfied than  ever.  How  she  detested  these  common 
place  "clodhoppers."  True,  they  were  good,  ho  est 
fellows,  but  she  ached  to  see  a  real  hero  —one  who 
could  achieve  something  gallant  besides  steering  a  cul- 
tivator, hoeing  corn  and  cracking  a  whip  behind  a  team 
of  plow  horses.  For  relief,  Nettie  turned  to  mother 
Nature,  but  this  usually  beneficent  dame  had  provided 
but  sparingly  for  hungry -eyed  Nettie  Blake,  as  the 
scenery  about  her  home  was  tame  and  uninteresting. 
Still  there  were  a  few  redeeming  traits  in  the  landscape. 
"Walnut  Ridge"  lay  a  mile  to  eastward,  which,  w^ith 
the  morning  sun  touching  its  forests,  and  tinging  its 
vapors,  formed  to  her  a  sort  of  inspiration.  It  over- 
looked vast  stretches  of  country  upon  the  other  side, 
and  she  often  climbed  its  summit  to  catch,  as  it  were, 
glimpses  of  the  Beulah  of  her  dreams.  Beyond  it  swept 
the  waters  of  "Eagle  Creek,"  a  very  quiet  stream  at  its 
ordinary  level,  but  somewhat  boisterous  when  on  the 
rampage.  Nettie  look  as  kindly  to  water  as  does  the 
wild  duck,  and  "Eagle  Creek"  was  to  her  a  source  of 
solace  in  the  summer  season.  With  her  girl  compan- 
ions she  fished  and  bathed  in  its  waters,  and  loitered 
along  its  banks  of  pebble  and  shale,  watching  the  swift 
current  and  wishing  that  upon  it  she  might  drift,  with 


if 


ROMANCE  OF  THE  ICE  PLAINS. 


149 


the  sticks  and  leaves,  out  to  the  great  ocean  and  the 
great  world  which  is  encompassed.     Poor  little  Nettie! 

In  winter  when  the  stream  was  frozen  and  the  trees 
on  "Walnut  Ridge"  were  bare  and  colorless,  her  dis- 
satisfaction grew  apace.  A  meager  supply  of  litera- 
ture afforded  some  relief,  and  she  liked  to  talk  of  what 
she  read,  but  Mistress  Blake  was  too  busy  with  houfse- 
hold  cares  to  listen,  and  old  man  Blake  would  only 
wrinkle  his  forehead,  and  say  as  how  "gals  ought  to  let 
such  rubbish  alone  an'  'tend  to  their  work." 

To  her  most  intimate  friend  and  associate,  Mandy 
Johns,  who  was  several  years  older  than  she,  Nettie 
ventured  to  introduce  a  book  of  travels,  but  Mandy 
was  piecing  a  quilt  of  the  "wild  goose  chase"  pattern, 
and  lost  all  connection  of  what  her  companion  was 
saying. 

Amanda  had  been  piecing  quilts  for  the  last  ten 
years.  Quilt-piecing  was  her  especial  fad,  her  one  ac- 
complishment, and  she  pursued  it  with  astonishing 
pertinacity  —  never  so  marked  as  since  Ben  Peters  had 
begun  paying  her  attention.  She  was  evidently  in- 
dulging hopes  matrimonial  —  which  if  not  realized 
would  be  no  fault  of  hers — and  all  that  she  could  find 
of  any  earthly  interest  to  talk  about  was  her  quilts 
and  Ben  Peters. 

A  vision  of  Ben's  red  hair,  coarse  hands,  long  legs 
and  number  thirteen  boots  rose  before  Nettie,  and  in 
disgust  she  turned  to  "old  Gregory,"  the  cat.  He  was 
the  only  created  being  that  showed  her  any  apprecia- 
tion. This  patriarchal  feline  always  listened  to  her 
with  at  least  respectful  attention. 

It  was  under  these  trying  circumstances  that  Nettie 


ill! 


I 


;■ 


i 


ill 


150 


ROMANCE  OF  J  HE  ICE  PLAINS. 


longed  for  "th< 


of  a  dove  that  she  might  fly 


winj 

to  some  secluded  isle  where  Mandy's  quilts  and  Ben 
Peters'  big  feet  might  never  intrude,"  and,  as  if  in  re- 
sponse to  her  wish,  there  came  a  letter  from  some  dis- 
tant relatives  containing  an  invitation  to  visit  them. 
They  lived  on  an  island  of  the  lake  archipelago,  and 
now  that  the  backbone  of  winter  was  nearly  broken 
and  the  steamer  beginning  to  run,  Nettie  must  come 
and  make  them  a  visit — so  the  letter  read.  Aftei 
some  demur  on  the  part  of  her  parents,  the  girl 
secured  permission  to  go.  She  had  never  been  over 
fifteen  miles  from  home  and  her  heart  was  all  aflutter 
with  expectation,  though  the  undertaking  seemed 
formidable.  "Two  hundred  miles  to  Lake  Erie  and  a 
trip  by  steamer.  Just  think  of  it  !"  Now  she  should 
see  something  of  the  big  world,  its  big  waters  and  big 
enterprises,  and  perhaps  meet  some  of  its  big  heroes. 
Nettie  required  no  very  elaborate  preparations  for 
her  visit,  and  so  after  a  fifteen  miles'  drive  to  the 
nearest  railway  station,  and  a  few  hours'  ride  on  the 
through  express,  she  found  herself  boarding  a  small 
iron- clad  steamer  at  Sandusky.  She  gazed  in  won- 
der at  this,  the  first  object  of  the  kind  her  eyes 
had  ever  beheld,  and  had  she  been  informed  that  the 
craft  was  a  first-class  ocean  liner,  never  a  suspicion  of 
the  difference  would  have  suggested  itself,  so  impressed 
was  she  with  its  size  and  dignity.  Imagine  her 
astonishment,  however,  to  find  the  lake  a  vast  out- 
reaching  plain  of  ice  with  no  apparent  boundary.  All 
the  ice  that  had  ever  formed  on  "Eagle  Creek"  was 
not  a  circumstance  compared  with  this  gigantic  sweep. 
She  had  no  idea  that  Lake  £  rie  was  so  big — so  un- 


III 


ROMAXCE  OF  THE  ICE  PL  A /.VS. 


151 


comfortably  big — and  yet  it  formed  but  a  small  part  of 
the  big  world.  Then  as  the  staunch  craft  under  a  full 
head  of  steam  drove  into  the  great  floes,  and  the  cabin 
windows  rattled,  and  the  strong  timbers  quivered 
from  bow  to  stern,  and  the  chandeliers  overhead 
swung  to  and  fro,  Nettie  became  frightened.  "What 
if  the  steamer  should  stick  fast  or  go  down  in  this  aw- 
ful crush?" 

Poor  little  Nettie!  So  this  was  seeing  the  world. 
Already  a  dreadful  homesick  feeling  was  creeping  over 
her.  Had  the  girl's  parents  known  the  condition  of 
the  lake  they  would  not  have  permitted  her  to  come — 
of  this  she  felt  assured — and  now  she  should  probably 
never  see  home  again,  nor  parents,  nor  Eagle  Creek, 
nor  "old  Gregory."  Even  Mandy's  quilts  and  Ben 
Peters'  ungainly  presence  would  have  been  a  solace  to 
Nettie  in  this  awful  crisis — poor  little  girl.  She  would 
have  cried  had  she  not  been  too  frightened  to  shed  tears; 
and  how  she  lived  through  those  long  hours  of  sus- 
pense she  hardly  knew,  while  heavy  clouds  of  smoke 
and  rushing  steam  poured  from  the  chimneys,  blacken- 
ing ill  the  sky,  and  the  powerful  engines  groaned  with 
theii  enforced  labor,  and  the  steamer's  armored  prow 
butted  heavily  into  masses  of  drift  many  feet  in  thick- 
ness. Sometimes  the  steamer  struck  with  such  force, 
and  came  to  a  stop  with  such  a  shock  as  to  throw  the 
passengers  from  their  seats.  Then  with  reversed  en- 
gines she  would  back  for  some  distance,  and  again 
drive  headlong  into  the  obstruction,  while  the  great 
floes  seamed  and  bulged  and  the  water  churned  into 
foam  by  her  wheel  spouted  up  the  sides.  At  such 
times  Nettie  would  thrust  her  lingers  into  her  ears  to 


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shut  out  the  horrible,  crushing,  grinding  noises.  They 
touched  at  one  of  the  ishmds  where  it  was  found  neces- 
sary to  repair  some  shght  damage  sustained  by  the 
steamer  in  her  scrimmage  with  the  ice.  This  done, 
they  continued  on  their  way. 

Nettie  was  approaching  her  destination,  but  when 
still  a  half  mile  from  shore,  the  steamer  blew  her 
whistle  and  came  to  a  sudden  stop.  The  captain  en- 
tered the  cabin.     Said  he: 

"We  shall  not  be  able  to  make  port,  owing  to  the 
heavy  ice  drifts,  and  will  be  obliged  to  put  off  passen- 
gers and  freight  where  we  are." 

A  new  and  greater  terror  seized  Nettie. 

How  dreadful  to  be  put  off  on  the  treacherous  ice 
so  far  from  shore  ! 

What  was  to  become  of  her?  With  palpitating 
heart  she  followed  the  cabin  passengers  down  a  flight 
of  stairs  to  the  lower  deck  On  reaching  the  gangway 
she  saw  groups  of  islanders  coming  out  over  the  ice  to 
meet  the  steamer,  forming  what  seemed  tc  her  a  strange 
procession,  some  walking,  others  upon  skates  with 
large  triangular  sails  in  their  hands,  by  the  aid  of 
which  they  moved  very  rapidly.  There  were  objects 
too  that  looked  like  great  V  shaped  sleds,  having  masts 
all  afiap  with  white  canvas  and  aflutter  with  bright 
flags  and  streamers,  the  upper  portion  resembling  the 
boats  she  had  seen  in  pictures;  these  were  coming 
towards  them  with  astonishing  swiftness.  There  were 
sleighs  too,  and  cutters  with  horses  attached  and  men 
and  boys  with  large  hand  sleds.  This  spectacle  was 
reassuring  and,  assisted  by  one  of  the  deck  hands,  Net- 


ROMANCE  OF  THE  ICE  PLAIXS. 


15.'? 


tie  passed  down  the  wide  plank  to  the  frozen  channel 
surface. 

"i^re  you  Nettie  Blake?"  queried  a  young  lady." 
"I  am,  and  you  are  — " 
"Alice  Benton,  your  cousin." 

"Oh,  I  am  so  glad,  I've  had  such  an  awful  time!  " 
exclaimed  Nettie  crying  for  joy. 

"This   last    cold   snap    has    made    the    ice    pretty 

tough  again;  we  meant  to  have   written  you  to  wait 

until  the  ice  broke  up  a  little,  but  you  got  through  all 

right,  so  it  don't  make  any  difference.     We  thought 

that  you  might  come  today,  so  we  drove  out  to  meet 
you — here  is  the  cutter." 

On  the  front  seat  holding  the  reins  was  seated  a 
young  man  whom  Alice  introduced  as  her  adopted 
brother  Fred.  He  had  dark  hait,  line  dark  eyes,  an 
intelligent  countenance  and  pleasing  manners,  but  so 
queerly  dressed.  His  attire  was  of  pale  yellow  canvas, 
with  wide  flapping  trousers,  loose,  bagging  blouse,  and 
a  hat  termed  a  "sou'wester."  All  sailors  and  fisher- 
men wore  them — Alice  informetl  her — and  as  Fred 
had  figured  as  mate  on  an  upper  lake  transportation 
vessel,  his  dress  only  signified  his  calling. 

The  "bold  sailor  boy"  of  the  girl's  romantic 
dreams  had  become  a  living  reality,  and  the  ugly,  yel- 
low oil  suit  was  proportionately  transfigured. 

What  a  refreshing  change  from  plowmen  in  blue 
drilling,  wood  choppers  with  brawny  fists  and  farm 
boys  generally. 

Nettie  drew  a  sigh  of  relief  when  once  again  her 
feet  touched  terra  firma,  but  the  thought  of  being  so 


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154 


ROMANCE  OF  THE  ICE  PLAINS. 


'■\'\ 


far  from  home  and  upon  a  remote  island  caused  a 
queer  sensation,  and  yet  how  romantic  it  all  seemed. 
She  saw  many  objects  which  were  new  and  novel  to  an 
inland  dweller,  but  being  very  tired  was  glad  of  the 
rest  afforded  at  the  pleasant  fireside  and  hospitable 
board  of  her  relatives. 

During  the  evening  Fred  put  aside  his  yellow  over- 
dress and  appeared  in  a  neat,  well  fitting  suit  of  dark 
grey.  A  very  good  looking  young  man  he  was,  and 
interesting  withall,  but  to  Nettie  he  seemed  shorn  of 
his  glory.  She  could  think  of  him  no  longer  as  a  "bold 
sailor  boy."  He  was  like  a  soldier  without  his  regi- 
mentals, and  she  felt  disappointed. 

The  next  day  Fred  proposed  taking  the  girls  for  a 
ride  upon  his  ice  yacht,  and  the  party  set  out  for  the 
bay.  Nettie  had  confidently  expected  to  see  Fred  in 
his  oil  suit  and  sou'\vester  on  this  momentous  occasion, 
but  strangely  enough,  he  had  put  these  things  aside, 
and  there  was  absolutely  nothing  in  his  make-up  to  in- 
dicate that  he  had  ever  sailed  the  blue,  except  that  he 
let  fall  two  or  three  sailor-like  expressions,  such  as  Net- 
tie had  heard  only  in  sea  stories.  She  was  now  intro- 
duced to  one  of  those  queer  iookinf^  objects — half  sled, 
half  boat — which  had  so  perplexed  her  the  evening  be- 
fore. The  lower  part  was  painted  a  bright  vermillion 
with  the  name  "Blizzard"  emblazoned  in  big  letters  on 
the  bowsprit.  The  sails  and  jib  were  new  and  of 
snowy  whiteness.  From  the  peak  waved  a  handsome 
edition  of  the  stars  and  stripes  and  a  long  blue  pen- 
nant, star  spangled,  and  edged  with  white  whipped 
from  the  mast-head. 

'So  this  is  an  ice  yacht,"  observed  Nettie,  regard- 


«» 


so 


ROMANCE  OF  THE  ICE  PLAINS, 


166 


;gard- 


ing  with  intense  interest  this  strange  but  very  pretty 
craft. 

"Yes,  did  you  never  see  one?" 

"No,  not  until  yesterday,  and  then  I  did  not  know 
what  they  were,  and  they  went  so  fast  it  made  me 
afraid  of  them." 

Fred  smiled. 

"They  are  quite  frisky,  but  perfectly  harmless,"  he 
replied. 

With  sliifht  hesitation  Nettie  seated  herself  beside 
Alice  on  the  deck  of  the  "Blizzard." 

"Now  look  out  for  your  heads  and  hold  tight,"  ex- 
claimed Fred. 

A  haul  of  the  sheet  and  the  boom  swung  around. 
The  canvas  Happed  and  with  a  sudden  bound  the  yacht 
was  in  motion.  How  Urc  a  winged  creature  she  flew. 
The  speed  of  the  through  express  was  nothing  in  com- 
parison.    It  took  one's  breath. 

"Hold  tight,"  again  repeated  Fred  as  he  spied  a 
stretch  of  rough  ice  ahead.  A  shift  of  the  helm,  a 
swing  of  the  boom,  a  swift  curve,  a  slight  jar,  all  as 
quick  as  a  tlash,  and  the  yacht  was  again  speeding  away 
faster,   fir  faster  than  the  wind  before  which  she  flew. 

The  first  shock  of  alarm  at  being  shot  over  the  lake 
at  such  a  rate  soon  subsided,  and  Nettie  felt  her  nerves 
beginning  to  thrill  with  the  excitement. 

Fred  noted  her  animated  face  and  shining  eyes. 

"You  enjoy  the  sport?" 

"O,  it  is  glorious,"  she  replied. 

Fred  was  an  ardent  lover  of  ice  and  water  and  a 
skilled  navigator  of  both,  and  from  Nettie  he  at  once 
caught  a  new  enthusiasm.     Moreover,  he  was  anxious 


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156 


ROMANCE  OF  THE  ICE  PLAINS. 


that  the  *-Bh'zzard"  should  do  her  very  prettiest  for 
Nettie's  sake,  so  he  put  the  yacht  upon  a  course  calru- 
lated  to  give  her  every  possible  advantage  of  the  stiff 
breeze.  He  ouf^ht  to  have  known  better.  lie  did 
know  better  in  fact  than  to  allow  the  swift  flyer  to  ven- 
ture so  far  upon  the  course  selected,  being  aware  of  the 
unsafe  cond.lion  of  the  ice,  but  his  sympathy  and  inter- 
est in  Nettie's  enjoyment  made  him  forgetful  and  even 
reckless. 

"Fred,  I  don't  think  we  had  b(  tter  go  any  farther 
out,"  said  Alice  anxiously. 

But  Fred  was  v  atching  the  play  of  pleasurable 
emotion  over  Nettie's  tine  features  and  heeded  not,  nor 
scarcely  heard  indeed. 

With  eyes  fixed  upon  the  line  where  lake  and  sky 
merged  into  a  si.igle  seeming  stretch  of  infinity,  Nettie 
felt  as  if  borne  forward  upon  the  wings  of  a  great  bird 
and  wished  that  thus  they  might  go  on  forever. 

A  scream  from  Alice  awakened  both  these  dream- 
ers. She  motioned  toward  a  spot  of  open  water  several 
feet  across  and  edged  around  with  thin  white  ice.  In- 
stantly Fred  put  the  helm  hard  a-port,  but  it  was  too 
late.  Into  the  opening  leaped  the  "Blizzard,"  capsiz- 
ing, and  crushing  the  ice  for  quite  a  distance  around. 
Fred  and  Alice  maintained  their  hold  upon  the  yacht, 
which  lay  with  the  tip  of  her  tall  mast  upon  a  rim  of 
the  unbroken  i^e,  but  the  concussion  loosened  Nettie's 
grasp  and  into  the  water  she  went,  disappearing  be- 
neath it.  Fred  jerked  off  his  overcoat,  threw  it  over 
the  mast  and  sprang  in  after  her.  He  caught  the  girl 
as  she  was  going  down  under  the  ice  and  drew  her  to 
the  surface.     It  was  the  work  of  an  instant.     Climbing 


ROMANCE  OF  7 HE  ICE  PLAINS. 


157 


with  his  burden  to  the  mast  he  wrapped  the  drenched 
and  shivering  form  in  the  coat  which  lie  had  just 
thrown  aside,  though  sadly  needing  it  himself.  Me  cut 
a  rope  from  the  rigging  and  lashed  her  to  the  yacht, 
while  his  wet  garments  clung  to  him,  and  his  teeth 
chattered  with  cold.  They  were  safe  from  immediate 
danger,  but  how  were  they  to  get  out?  How  long 
could  they  survive  the  cold  and  exposure?  Was  there 
any  likelihood  of  being  seen  from  shore  and  relieved? 
These  were  questions  with  which  Fred  now  wrestled. 
He  tnought  of  trying  to  reach  solid  footing  by  means 
of  the  mast  which  lay  with  its  tip  upon  a  projecting 
point  of  thin  ice,  but  the  yacht  was  delicately  poised, 
and  the  slightest  movement  might  disturb  its  equili- 
brum  and  perhaps  engulf  both  his  sister  and  Nettie. 
Had  he  been  alone  he  would  have  had  no  hesitation  as 
to  his  plan  of  procedure,  but  under  existing  circum- 
stances he  knew  not  what  to  do.  While  his  thoughts 
were  busy  planning  means  of  escape,  he  endeavored  to 
sooth  the  terrified  girls,  though  the  chill  of  his  wet 
clothing  struck  to  his  very  heart. 

Meantime,  parties  on  thore,  apprehensive  that  the 
"Blizzard"  was  venturing  loo  far,  had  been  watching 
her  movements  with  a  glast  and  saw  the  accident,  and 
another  yacht  with  a  rescue  party  was  immediately 
sent  :o  her  assistance.  After  some  difficult  and  hazar- 
dous work,  lh6  crew  of  the  "Blizzard"  were  fished  out 
and  brought  ashore.  Closely  muflled  in  Fred's  big 
overcoat  Nettie  felt  no  ill  effects  from  her  involuntary 
bath,  but  for  the  want  of  it  Fred  got  badly  chilled  and 
was  sick  for  a  week. 

Nettie  felt  dreadfftlly,  knowing  that  she  was  the 


f    <•(" 


158 


ROMANCE  OF  THE  ICE  PLAINS. 


direct  cause  of  his  illness,  but  Fred  only  smiled  and 
assured  the  girl  that  it  was  "only  a  sweet  pleasure  to 
suffer  for  her  sake."  At  last  Nettie  had  found  a  real 
hero. 

Howev'er,  after  her  experience  on  board  the 
steamer  and  her  ice  yachting  exploit,  she  became  very 
distrustful  of  Lake  Erie  and  of  the  world  in  general, 
and  was  glad  when  the  ice  all  broke  up  and  the  time 
came  for  her  to  go  home.  She  departed,  how-be-it> 
with  the  assurance  of  a  visit  from  Fred  at  a  very  early 
date,  and  now — so  it  is  creditably  aflirmed — "bold, 
sailor  boy"  Fred  is  going  to  seUle  down  to  the  com- 
mon place  life  of  a  farmer,  and  Nettie  is  to  be  his 
wife. 


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PEN  SKETCHES 

OF 

HISTORICAL  CHARACTERS. 


No.  I. 
CAPT.  JOHN  BROWN,  JR. 

Among  interesting  characters  who  at  different 
periods  of  its  history  have  made  the  archipelago  a 
temporary  place  of  sojourn  or  a  permanent  home,  is  one 
well  remembered  both  for  personal  traits  and  for  the 
bearing  upon  national  events  which  his  name  sug- 
gests. This  individual  to  whom  attention  is  directed 
in  the  following  sketch,  was  Capt.  John  Brown,  jr., 
the  eldest  of  a  family  whose  records  have  become  a 
thrilling  and  important  part  of  the  nation's  history 
The  details  of  the  Kansas  troubles  and  the  Harper's 
Ferry  tragedy  in  which  they  so  conspicuously  figured 
are  too  well  known  to  be  touched  upon  in  this  con- 
nection, but  a  few  glimpses  of  the  every-day  life, 
character  and  environments  of  one  of  its  chief  actors 
will  undoubtedly  prove  of  interest. 

For  a  number  of  years  the  writer  lived  in  the  im- 
mediate vicinity  of  Capt.  John  Brown's  home,  and 
knew  him  personally  and  well. 

It  was  in  1862,  about  three  vears  after  the  execu- 
tion  of  his  father,  that  Capt.  Brown  located  on  Put-in- 
Bay.     This  was  before  the  island  had  become  widely 


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160 


HIS  TORICA  L  CHA  RA  CTERS. 


known  as  a  summer  resort.  It  was  then  sparsely 
settled,  and  quite  out  of  the  way  of  ordinary  travel 
and  traflic,  and  its  comparative  issolation  was  prob- 
ably one  object  which  iniUiced  him  to  seek,  its  shores, 
for  at  that  time  pubHc  feeling  North  and  South  was  at 
flood-iide.  The  J^rowns  had  been  hunted  and  hnunted^ 
and  many    rabid    Southerners   and    Southern  sympa- 


HOME  OF  THE  LA^^E  CAPTAIN  JOHN  BROWN,  JR. 

Photo  by  Rev.  W.  Fred  Allen. 

thizers  still  thirsted  for  the  blood  of  the  sons  and 
allies  of  the  martyred  abolitionist,  and  their  lives  were 
endangered. 

At  the  outbreak  of  the  war  Capt.  Brown  entered 
the  Federal  service,  but  after  twelve  months'  active 
duty  became  disabled  and  was  forced  to  retire. 

In  a  beautiful,  sequestered  nook  on  the  South 
shore  of  Put-in-Bay,  Capt.  Brown  made  him  a  home. 


CAPT.  JOHN  BROWX,  JR. 


IM 


He  had  never  sought  notoriety;  such  a  quest  would 
have  been  foreign  to  his  nature.  He  had  nevertheless 
won  it  through  unflinching  adherence  to  that  which  he 
believed  right,  and  through  strenuous  defense  of  the 
principles  of  liberty  and  humanity.  Not  only  had  he 
gained  notoriety,  but  he  had  also  gained  the  warm 
friendship,  admiration  and  esteem  of  some  of  Amer- 
ica's trusted  and  best  men,  many  of  whom  sought  and 
found  him  in  his  solitude.  '•[It'ro  worshipers"  of  all 
grades  visited  him,  anxious  to  see  and  accord  to  him 
due  honor.  Among  thtse  were  scholars,  statesmen 
and  phil.inthropists  of  national  repute.  On  numerous 
occasions  he  was  visited  by  individual  representatives 
of  the  colored  race,  who  in  the  old  slave  days  had 
been  aided  by  the  Brown  family  in  escaping  from 
bondage. 

All  this  might  have  inflated  with  lofty  conceit  an 
individu.il  of  less  mental  expansion,  but  Capt.  Brown 
cared  not  for  flattery.  Ltss  of  relf  and  more  of 
humanity  seemed  the  rule  and  purpose  of  his  life.  He 
was  modest  and  unpretentious,  never  boasting  of  his 
exploits  and  seldom  indeed  referring  to  them.  He 
revered  honest  toil,  and  though  a  man  of  education, 
culture  and  fine  sensibility,  a  close  student  and  admirer 
of  nature,  with  a  decided  literary  and  scientific  trend, 
he  chose  to  become  a  tiller  of  the  soil  and  a  grower  of 
truits.  He  labored  early  and  late,  spending  leisure 
hours  with  his  books,  or  in  the  societ}'  of  congenial 
friends.  He  was  especially  interested  in  Geology, 
Phrenology  and  Metaphysical  science.  Geometry 
was  also  a  hobby,  and  he  taught  at  one  time  the 
science   to  a    class    of  island    young    people.      His 


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162 


HISTORICAL  CHARACTERS. 


views  were  broad,  his  opinions  liberal.  His  only  creed 
was — "The  fatherhood  ot  God;  the  brotherhood  of 
man."  Thoujirh  possessing  no  clearly  defined  religious 
belief,  his  tendency  was  toward  Spiritualism,  and  for  a 
number  of  years  he  was  accustomed  to  meet  with  a  few 
spiritualistic  investigators— residents  of  the  island  — 
to  discuss  with  them  the  problems  and  possibilities  of 
the  life  hereafter. 

A  thorough  humanitarian  in  every  respect,  he  took 
a  lively  interest  in  philanthropic  movements  and  re- 
forms of  every  kind.  He  was  fearless  and  unfiinch- 
ing  in  whatever  he  knew  to  be  just  and  right,  and 
having  once  taken  a  position  could  not  be  swayed 
therefrom. 

In   his  neighbors    he    evinced    a  friendly  interest, 

sharing  their  joys,   sympathizing   with  their  griefs — 

and  had  for  all  whom  he  met  in  his  daily  walks  a 
kindly  word. 

He  entertained  a  sincere  appreciation  of  true  worth 
— whether  existing  in  the  higher  walks  of  life  or 
struggling  alone  with  poverty  and  obscurity. 

He  was  open  as  day — so  free  indeed  was  he  from 
everything  which  flavored  of  hypocrisy  that  the  petty 
deceits  and  conceits  of  little  minds  excited  more  than 
anything  else  his  contempt.  Such  in  brief  was  the 
character  of  Capt.  John  Brown,  "who  was  the  son  of 
John  Brown" — as  has  been  significantly  observed — or 
in  other  words,  who  inherited  from  his  parent  traits 
which  made  the  former  a  martyr  and  hero- 

The  wife  of  Capt.  Brown  was  his  congenial 
companion  and   helper;  a  thrifty  housekeeper,   a  sue- 


CAPT.  JOHN  BROWN,  JR. 


163 


cessful  homemaker,  and  an  intelligent  and  cultured 
woman. 

Together  they  worked  and  in  a  few  years  were 
surrounded  by  all  that  combines  to  make  a  cheerful 
and  a  happy. home. 

Active  was  he  in  every  worthy  work  until  heart 
disease  be^an  sapping  the  vigor  of  life,  and  for  several 
years  he  was  subject  to  attacks  of  great  severity.  On 
the  day  preceding  his  demise  he  had  worked  in  his 
garden  and  was  feeling  better  than  usual,  but  when 
seated  for  the  evening  meal  experienced  a  sudden  at- 
tack. His  wife  led  him  to  a  rocking  chair,  where, 
after  two  hours  of  suffering  his  spirit  took  its  flight 
into  the  great  unknown. 

He  was  buried  in  accordance  with  the  rites  of  the 
Masonic  order,  of  which  he  was  an  honored  repre- 
sentative. May  5th,  1895,  and  a  poem  from  the  pen  of 
Prof.  Coler,  of  Sandusky,  commemorates  the  impres- 
sive occasion  in  lines  as  follows: 

"Yonder  on  Erie's  peaceful  isle 
Amid  the  scenes  he  loved  so  well, 
Was  laid  to  rest  the  hero  of  a  cause 
Of  which  all  ages  shall  delight  to  tell." 

"Great  he  was  in  his  simplicity, 
Great  in  his  love  for  humanity. 
Great,  because  for  nature's  laws  he  stood, 

And  dared  to  do, 
What  others  only  dared  to  think." 

"Great,  because  his  name  we  justly  link 
Forever  with  the  world's  reformers. 
Great  he  was  because  for  other's  good 

He  dared  to  be 
John  the  Baptist  of  Liberty." 


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164  HISTORICAL  CHARACTERS. 

"Bright  was  the  day, 

And  sweet  the  breath  of  May, 
With  opening  buds  and  flowers; 

Maple  and  oak 

In  tender  accents  spoke 
Of  him  who  slept  beneath  their  bowers." 

"Cedar  and  pine. 

With  voices  soft  and  fine. 
Joined  in  the  requiem  of  the  dead; 

The  birds  drew  near, 

As  if  they  wished  to  hear 
Eveiy  word  that  might  be  said." 

"Humbly  he  lived  and  earned  his  daily  bread, 
By  honest  toil  and  with  a  cheerful  heart. 
He  sought  lor  all  things  good  and  tru  •;  content 
Whate'er  his  lot  might  be,  to  do  his  part." 

"Approach  that  silent  mound. 
No  monument  is  there. 
But  nature  whispers  low. 
This  epitaph  in  air." 

"Here  rests  beneath  this  sod 
Till  resurrection's  dawn,  , 

John  Brown — th^  son  of  him 
Whose  soul  goes  marching  on." 

Those  who  participated  in  the  funeral  services  of 
its  late  owner  will  call  to  mind  the  roomy,  hospitable 
dwelling,  as  it  then  appeared,  with  its  open  verandahs 
nestled  deep  amid  native  red  cedars  and  Orchard  trees 
all  in  a  glory  of  pink  and  white  bloom;  the  fenceless 
Jawn,  green  stretching  to  the  lake,  and  edg:  ^g  a  beach 
of  white  sand  and  flat  rock  against  which  beat  the 
south  cl  annel  waters;  the  fertile  garden,  with  vine- 
yard lands,  and  a  thick  foliaged  grove  of  natural  forest 
trees;  an  old  black  horse,  which  for  many  years  had 


CAPT.  JOHN  BROWN,  JR. 


165 


served  faithfully  his  dead  master  and  friend,  cropping 
leisurely  the  Maytime  grasses;  and  Arbutus,  Sweet 
William,  and  other  delicate  wood  blossoms  every- 
where besprinkling  the  sod.  From  environments 
such  as  these,  John  Brown,  Jr.,  was  carried  to  his 
last  resting  place. 

In  the  grove,  a  short  distance  from  the  Brown 
dwelling,  is  located  "Brown's  cave."  Its  mouth  is  wide 
and  high  enough  to  admit  a  person  entering  it  in  an 
erect  position,  but  narrows  away  into  mysterious  pas- 
sages unexplored,  save  by  cats  of  the  neighborhood. 
During  summer  heats  the  grove  forms  a  favorite  ground 
for  campers  and  white  tents  spreading  beneath  dark 
foliapf^d  trees  add  romantic  interest  to  the  scene.  The 
dwelUijg  is  approached  from  the  main  road  by  a  drive 
way  dc  n  bordered  with  red  cedars.  It  is  an  ideal  spot, 
such  as  a  man  like  its  late  owner  would  naturally  choose 
in  which  to  live  and  die. 

Everything  which  can  add  to  the  attraction  and 
comfort  of  home  is  found  within  the  dwelling  —books, 
music,  pictures  and  a  fine  collection  of  geological  speci- 
mens and  other  curiosities.  In  one  room  hangs  an  old 
family  picture — portrait  of  John  Brown,  sr.  In  an- 
other apartment — a  memorial  presented  the  family 
representing  scenes  from  the  life  and  adventures  of  John 
Brown  all  the  way  from  Kansas  and  Harper's  Ferry  to 
his  burial  place  among  the  picturesque  hills  of  North 
Elba,  New  York. 

In  a  little  building  used  by  him  as  an  office, 
which  he  called  his  "den,"  John  Brown,  Jr.,  kept  some 
interesting  family  relics.  The  most  interesting  relic  of 
the  Brown  family  ever  brought  to  Put-in-Bay.  how- 


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166 


HISTORIC  A  L  CM  A  RA  CTERS. 


LOOKING  FROM  HIS  DEN, 


ever,  was  the  mumniilied  remains  of  Watson  Brown, 
who  was  killed  at  Harper's  Ferry.  Many  years  they 
had  been  preserved  in  a  medical  college,  but  were  finally 
recovered  bv  a  friend  of  the  Browns  and  sent  to  Put- 
in- Bay,  where  they  were  viewed  with  great  curiosity 
by  many  persons,  and  afterwards  forwardad  to  North 
Elba  and  buried  by  the  side  of  old  John  Brown. 

Among  the  friends  who  honored  John  Brown,  Jr., 
by  their  visits  to  his  island  home  were  the  members  of 
his  old  command — Co.  A,  Kansas  Volunteer  Cavalry, 
who  met  in  a  general  reunion  with  their  gallant  captain 
about  eight  years  ago. 

In  loc  \1  relations  Captain  Brown  was  recognized  as 
a  leader,  and  was  frequently  called  upon  to  head  enter- 
prises of  various  kinds. 


I:  ! 


^i_i. 


CAPT.  JOHN  BROWN,  JR. 


167 


Captain  and  Mrs.  Brown  had  two  children — a  son 
and  daughter — the  son  bearing  his  fallier's  name.  The 
daughter,  Edith,  is  an  accomplished  musician.  She  is 
the  wife  of  T.  B.  Alexander. 

Eloquent  and  beautiful  words  were  spoken  over 
Captain  Brown's  grave  in  the  little  island  cemetery,  but 
the  most  tender  and  touching  eulogy  pronounced  was 
perhaps  that  of  his  wife,  as  with  tears  in  her  eyes  she 
bent  over  his  inanimate  form,  and  gently  stroking  his 
hair,  observed : 

"John  was  always  a  kind  and  loving  husband." 

Put-in-Bay  is  notably  honored  in  that  she  holds  the 
grave  of  such  a  man — having  yielded  for  that  purpose 
one  of  the  loveliest  spots  along  the  whole  extent  of  her 
lovely  shores. 


Mi': 

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BURIAL  PLACE  OF  CAPT.  JOHN   BROWN,  JR. 
(Photo  by  Rtv.  W.  Fred  Allan.) 


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168 


HISTORICAL  CHARACTERS, 


3    M 


No.  2. 

OWEN  BROWN. 

Under  the  heading  of  historical  characters  may  be 
fittingly  placed  the  name  of  Owen  Brown,  a  partici- 
pator in  the  Harper's  Ferry  tragedy,  son  of  its  chief 
hero  and  a  brother  of  Capt.  John  Brown,  Jr. 

Owen  Brown  came  to  Put-in-Bay  shortly  after  the 
execution  of  his  father.  His  object  in  seeking  the 
retirement  here  afforded  at  that  time  was  owing  partly 
to  his  love  of  seclusion,  but  more  ostensibly  to 
escape  the  intense  animosity  which  the  conspiracy  to 
liberate  the  southern  bondsmen  had  engendered  against 
the  Brown  family  and  their  allies  in  pro-slavery  circles. 

For  over  twenty  years  Owen  made  his  home  among 
the  islands.  He  was  unmarried,  and  being  much  of  a 
recluse  lived  alone;  at  one  time  in  a  small  house  on  the 
premises  of  his  brother,  Capt.  John  Brown,  near  the 
south  shore  of  Put-in-Bay.  At  another  time  he  was 
owner  and  occupant  of  a  house  and  vineyard  lands  on 
the  same  island.  His  winters  were  sometimes  spent 
at  the  deserted  summer  villa  of  Jay  Cooke,  on  Gibral- 
tar, of  which  he  had  been  left  in  charge  by  the  owner. 

The  writer  cherishes  a  vivid  remembrance  of  Owen 
Brown — as  he  appeared  from  time  to  time  on  the 
streets  of  the  Bay  village — and  was  once  privileged  to 
take  him  by  the  hand ;  and  on  this  occasion  noted  his 
kindliness  and  geniality  of  manner  and  the  thought- 
ful and  intelligent  expression  of  his  countenance.  He 
was  tall  and  slender,  having  blue  eyes  and  a  full  sandy 
beard,  tinged  with  grey.  He  dressed  plainly,  his  every- 
day wear  being  similar  often  to  that  worn  by  working- 


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OWEN  BROWN. 


109 


men;  but  however  rough  his  attire,  it  was  always 
clean  and  neat,  and  the  quiet  courtesy  and  native  re- 
finement of  the  wearer  stamped  him  unmistakably  as 
a  gentleman. 

In  his  inquiries  for  the  health  and  welfare  of  neigh- 
bors he  evinced  the  most  friendly  interest,  while  the 
details  of  their  afflictions  or  misfortunes  elicited  his 
warmest  sympathy.  The  islanders,  all  of  whom  knew 
him  well,  remembt  him  with  tender  regard  and* recall 
his  »nany  virtues;  especially  remarking  his  modesty, 
scrupulous  honesty  and  generosity,  the  last  mentioned 
amounting  almost  to  a  fault. 

Accustomed  as  he  was  to  frugality  and  economy, 
he  yet  saved  little,  because  he  could  not  resist  the  impulse 
of  giving.  At  the  island  stores  he  was  frequently 
known  to  purchase  sugar,  tea,  coftee  or  other  substan- 
tials,  which  he  distributed  among  families  known  to  be 
in  need,  while  Indian  meal  made  into  bread  formed  the 
staple  article  of  his  own  hard  and  homely  fare. 
These  small  acts  of  kindness  were  but  the  outcroppings 
of  sympathies,  which  in  breadth  and  depth  were 
measured  only  by  the  magnitude  of  human  want 
and  distress.  The  spirit  of  self-sacrifice  that  prompted 
the  father  to  his  death  in  behalf  of  an  oppressed  people 
survived  in  the  son  and  the  life  of  Owen  Brown, 
dating  from  the  thrilling  events  of  Harper's  Ferry  and 
the  Kansas  border  to  its  closing  struggle,  was  one  long 
round  of  self  denial,  which  he  practiced  not  as  a  pain- 
ful penance,  but  as  a  means  of  the  highest  happiness. 
Though  the  friendliest  of  men,  who  would  not  harm  a 
living  creature  for  his  own  gratification,  he  was  fearless 
and  aggressive  where  the  wrongs  and  grievances  of 


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170 


mSTORfCA  L  CHA  RA  C  TERS. 


others  claimed  redress.  He  aided  his  father  in  con- 
veying fugitive  slaves  from  the  southern  states  to 
Canada,  and  in  1857  accompanied  him  to  Harper's 
Ferrv. 

Owen  never  talked  much  of  his  personal  adven- 
tures unless  urged,  or  when  drawn  out  by  skillful  ques- 
tioning. When  he  did  consent  to  a  repetition  of  his 
history,  and  became  interested  himself  in  a  retrospec- 
tion of  past  experiences,  he  taiked  readily,  and  vvass 
very  precise  in  his  descriptions  and  minute  to  the 
smallest  details.  The  account  of  his  escape  from  Har- 
per's Ferry  after  the  capture  of  his  father  forms  one  of 
the  most  thrilling  narrations  of  danger,  hardship  and 
privation  ever  recorded.  Though  lengthy,  the  narra. 
tive  is  unflagging  throughout  in  interest,  and  would 
furnish  material  for  a  drama.  The  touching  pathos  of 
many  of  its  scenes  grapples  irresistibly  the  heart 
chords  and  forces  tears  to  the  eyes.  At  other  points 
there  are  touches  of  quaint,  dry  humor,  which  even 
the  rehearsal  of  reminiscences  so  painful  could  not  sup- 
press. This  story,  and  the  calm  deliberation  with 
which  it  was  told,  is  said  to  have  impressed  the  listener 
with  the  conviction  that  Owen  was  a  man  of  such 
make  as  old  John  Brown  told  the  Massachusetts  legis- 
lature he  wanted  with  him,  namely:  "Men  who  fear 
God  too  much  to  fear  anything  human," 

With  a  reward  of  $25,000  upon  his  head,  and 
minute  descriptions  of  his  person  circulated  over  all 
the  land;  with  the  whole  country  on  the  alert,  and 
bands  of  armed  men  and  bloodhounds  scouring  in 
every  direction,  Owen  with  a  small  company  of  follow- 
ers made  his  exit  from  Harper's  Ferry,  through  Mary- 


OWEN  BROWN. 


171 


land  and  Pennsylvania,  traversing  moun  ain  ranges, 
hiding  in  thickets  by  day  and  traveling  at  night,  guided 
by  the  north  star.  Many  times  his  pursuers  were  close 
upon  him,  but  by  some  trifling  circumstance  were 
thrown  off  the  track.  Twice  was  he  identified,  but 
as  it  chanced,  by  friendly  eyes.  During  the  three 
weeks  which  occupied  their  escape,  Owen  and  his 
men  were  frequently  chilled  by  the  cold  November 
rains  and  snows  which  fell.  They  forded  and  swam 
swollen  creeks  and  rivers;  climbed  rugged  mountain 
sides;  endured  fatigues  the  most  exhaustive,  and  slept 
in  wet  clothing  under  the  open  sky. 

They  subsisted  for  the  most  part  on  hard,  dry 
corn  and  raw  potatoes,  gathered  from  fields  through 
which  they  passed.  They  had  deemed  it  imprudent 
to  visit  any  human  habitation,  but  on  one  occasion, 
when  driv'en  to  extreme  measures,  one  of  the  number, 
Cook  by  name,  ventured  to  a  farm  house  to  buy  pro- 
visions for  the  nearly  famished  party,  and  was  cap- 
tured. The  next  day,  when  on  the  outskirts  of  Cham- 
bersburg,  lying  among  some  bushes  which  concealed 
them,  they  heard  the  sound  of  martial  music  played 
by  a  band,  as  they  afterward  learned,  which  escorted 
Cook  to  the  depot,  and  saw  the  train  move  away  that 
bore  him  back  to  Harper's  Ferry  and  the  gallows. 
That  Owen  should  have  succeeded  in  eluding  his  pur- 
suers seems  almost  miraculous,  a  feat  which  he  never- 
theless accomplished  with  the  loss  of  but  one  man,  as 
recorded.  Physically  disabled  by  the  arduous  cam- 
paigns through  which  he  had  already  passed,  Owen 
Brown  was  not  eligible  for  military  service  at  the  out- 
break of  the  rebellion.     Being  of  a  literary  cast,  much 


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HISTORICAL  CHARACTERS. 

of  his  time  in  later  years  was  spent  in  readinpr,  writing 
and  in  the  study  of  nature.  His  eccentricities,  mode 
of  life  and  habits  of  thought  were  remarked  as  corre- 
sponding to  those  of  Henry  D.  Thoreau.  Though 
lacking  the  scholarly  attainments  of  this  gifted  stu- 
dent and  philosopher,  Owen's  delight  in  the  most 
trivial  objects  in  nature  was  parallel. 

Subsequently,  Owen  i^rown  removed  from  Put-in- 
Bay  to  Pasadena,  California,  where,  with  his  brother 
Jason,  he  took  up  his  abode  on  a  mountain  of  the 
Sierra  Madre  range,  a  lonely  summit  afterward  named 
"Brown's  Peak,"  where  he  spent  the  remainder  of  his 
eventful  life. 

Previous  to  Owen's  death,  Jason  had  written  to 
John  Brown,  Jr.,  at  Pui-in  B.iy,  concerning  the  oddities 
and  eccentricities  of  the  former,  complaining  thereof 
somewhat,  but  m  the  letter,  which  gave  a  touching 
account  of  his  brother's  last  hours,  Jason  says: 

"When  I  spoke  of  Owen's  faults,  I  never  once 
thought  of  my  own,  nor  did  I  think  of  his  good  qual- 
ities, which  so  far  outbalanced  mine." 

Having  occasion  to  visit  a  sister,  Mrs.  Ruth  Thomp- 
son, who  lived  in  the  valley  below,  and  expecting  to 
be  absent  some  weeks,  Owen  had  said  "Good-bye"  at 
starting.  As  Jason  watched  him  down  the  precipitous 
path  the  thought  strangely  occurred: 

"What  if  he  never  comes  back  alive  ?" 

Owen  had  often  expressed  a  wish  that  at  his  death 
he  might  be  buried  on  the  peak,  and  as  if  following 
some  unaccountable  intuition,  Jason  cleared  up  a  beau- 
tiful retired  nook  which  he  thought  might  at  some 
time  be  used  as  a  burial  site.     He  broke  the  ground 


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OWEN  BROWN. 


178 


and  sowed  it  to  grass,  which,  watered  by  rains  and 
mountain  dews,  sprung  up  and  in  a  short  time  covered 
the  spot  with  a  carpet  of  tender  green. 

Owen  never  came  back  alive,  but  was  carried  up 
the  sleep  mountain  side  in  his  casket,  followed  by  a 
large  concourse  of  mourners,  among  whom  were  men 
of  the  first  rank  as  scholars  and  statesmen.  Owen 
had  died  from  an  attack  of  pneumonia  at  the  home  of 
his  sister;  and  though  the  city  of  Pasadena  offered  an 
eligible  lot  in  her  well-kept  and  exclusive  cemetery  for 
his  burial,  the  wish  of  the  departed  was  remembered, 
and  Jason  made  the  grave  beneath  a  mountain  tree  in 
the  quiet,  green  nook  which  he  had  prepared.  Said  he: 

*'I  never  could  have  gone  back  to  my  lonely  claim 
upon  the  mountain  had  Owen  been  buried  elsewhere; 
but  since  it  holds  his  grave,  I  am  content." 

As  if  the  lower  earth  were  too  cold  and  damp,  too 
densely  permeated  with  the  malaiia  of  human  wrong 
and  wretchedness,  Owen  sought  a  place  in  the  upper 
atmosphere,  nearer  Heaven,  where  amidst  freedom 
untrammeled  he  found  a  Pisgah  top  upon  which  he 
lived,  and  at  death  was  buried,  like  Moses,  within  its 
solemn  and  impressive  environments. 


W 


I 


s 


I  I 


i 


t^ 


AUTUMN  ETCHINGS. 


Now  through  the  smoky  atmosphere, 
Fantartic  lights  and  shades  appear, 
And  vibrant  echoes  far  and  near, 
The  island  shores  awake. 

By  wayside  path  and  thorny  hedge, 
Along  the  copse's  tangled  edge; 
And  midst  the  miry  marshland's  sedge, 
Dieth  the  Golden  Rod. 


IN  THE  MARSH   LAND. 

By  fences  rude,  and  cottage  gates, 
The  noxious  burdock  grimly  waits 
With  bold  intent  and  sinister  hate, 
The  passer-by  to  seize; 

And  "beggar  Jice,"  and  "pitchforks"  brown. 
Bedeck  the  garb  of  foji^and  clown, 
And  ornament  the  maiden's  gown. 
In  novel  style  and  gay. 


i  I  '1 


AUTUMN  ETCHINGS. 

Where  erst  the  campers'  tents  were  seen, 
Beneath  the  woodland's  glossy  green, 
And  forest  giants  intervene 
Their  wide  extended  arms; 

Now  broken  slakes,  and  trampled  earth, 
Which  relics  of  the  camp  begirth, 
A  vanished  seasDn's  festive  mirth, 
Alone  is  left  to  tell. 


17fi 


hi:'l' 


;  it  ^■ 


-^ 


Here  leafy  showers,  with  gentle  pour, 
Have  covered  all  the  woodland  o'er, 
Frcm  mossy  glade  to  pebbled  shore 
With  russet  orown  and  gold. 

Nestled  within  their  earthy  bed. 
The  leaflets  rustle  to  my  tread, 
Or  by  the  wind  are  briskly  sped. 
Over  the  channel  wide. 

Gone  is  the  piquant  summer  girl, 
With  laughing  eye  and  teeth  of  pearl, 
And  glowing  cheek  and  glossy  curl, 
For  summertime  is  o'er. 

Dead  are  its  myriad  blossoms  rare, 
Vanished  its  day-dreams,  bright  and  fair, 
Faded  the  hopes  that  budded  where 
Dead  leaves  lie  withering. 

But  why  in  tearful  grief  beside 

The  place  where  'eaves  and  flowers  have  died; 

And  rest  in  common  burial  wide. 

Thus  sadly  linger  now  ? 

For  leaves  and  flowers  will  come  again 
And  joy  spring  forth  from  bitter  pain, 
And  nothing  shall  have  lived  in  vain, 
That  we  have  fondly  known. 

And  cruel  loss,  and  fruitless  toil. 
And  grief  that  made  our  hearts  recoil, 
Shall  in  a  more  congenial  soil, 
Prove  but  the  goodly  seed; 


■»■"    i 


1h 


li 


i'-*'5 ,  ii 


mi 


:    !^ 


I 


I'l: 


i| 


176  A  UTUMN  E  TCHINGS. 

To  germinate,  and  grow  and  thrive, 
Till  hope  and  happiness  revive, 
For  that  ttiey  too  shall  e'e    survive 
Is  universal  law. 

So  turn  we  then  from  pensive  themes 
To  where  the  wavelet  brightly  gleams. 
And  ge'iiil  sunlight  golden  streams. 
The  vistaed  groves  among. 


THE  VISTAED  GROVES. 


Still  brightly  mid  the  trees  which  crown 
Yon  rugged  bluffs  that  lakeward  frown, 
The  tall  oaks  touched  with  reddish  brown 
A  softened  .splendor  shed; 

And  maple  boughs,  and  cedars  old, 
Display  a  wealth  of  green  and  gold, 
While  sumach  flaunts  in  crimson  bold, 
Beside  the  naked  thorn. 

Full  of  its  own  deep  mystery, 
The  sky  soft  blending  with  the  sea, 
A  portion  of  eternity 
Vaguely  suggestive  seems. 

Along  its  blue  line  pencilled  black, 
A  smoke  trail  marks  the  steamer's  track> 
And  cruising  vessals  flowly  tack 
Against  the  channel  breeze. 


White  sails  upon  our  vision  grow 
And  loom  against  the  Western  glow, 
Then  fading  wraith-like  from  us  go, 
Into  the  distant  haze.' 

A  filmy  veil  enwraps  the  isles, 

And  each  through  gauze  of  purple  smiles, 

With  rill  the  captivating  wiles 

That  youthful  maidens  know. 

Fair  "Middle  Bass"  her  greeting  sends, 
And  "Rattlesnake"  its  length  extends, 
And  rocky  Gibraltar  blends 
To  form  a  picture  rare. 


AUTUMN  ETCHINGS. 


177 


Now  rests  in  dreamy  solitude, 
The  lonely  isle  where  Perry  stood, 
While  ballast  from  its  surface  rude 
Was  taken  for  his  ships. 

But  in  Lake  Erie's  diadem, 
And  on  her  jewelled  garment's  hem. 
The  fairest  and  the  brightest  gem 
Is  storied  Put-in-Bay. 

Here  resting  in  their  earthy  bed, 
Where  willow  branches  thickly  spread. 
And  yellow  leaflets  freely  shed, 
Perry's  dead  heroes  sleep. 

Encircled  wide  by  belting  beach. 
Inland  the  tranquil  waters  reach, 
And  bay  and  inlet  mirror  each, 
The  cragged,  carven  rocks. 

Now  freely  run  the  gamy  bass, 
And  in  their  light  skiffs  sportsmen  pass, 
With  hooks  of  steel,  and  spoons  of  brass, 
These  finnys  to  beguile 


l« 


V\  \\ 


J 


w 


'THE  GAMY  BASS. 


H' 


Ij 


:  ;i 


\l 


I 


178  AUTUMN  ETCHINGS. 

Anon  their  voices  blithely  rinj?, 
And  wooded  cliffs  the  echoes  fling, 
As  outward  bound  they  gayly  sing, 
The  theme  to  them  most  dear. 


BASS  FISHERMEN'S  SONG. 

O,  jolly  are  we. 

And  happy  and  free, 

As  the  gulls  that  flao  overhead, 

We're  lighter  than  air, 

Since  for  worry  and  care. 

We've  taken  our  tackle  instead 

The  feathery  dash. 

And  musical  plash. 

Of  the  bending,  pliable  oar. 

Our  voices  attune 

To  the  song  of  the  loon. 

And  our  spirits  ecstaticly  soar. 

We're  pulling  away 
Toward  far  Point  au  Pelee, 
Where  thickly  the  bass  fishes  swim; 
Though  Lake  Erie's  pest. 
O'er  her  sun  lighted  breast 
Patrols  the  Canadian  rim. 

Now  boatmen  have  care; 

Of  the  Petrel  beware, 

For  she's  crammed  with  powder  and  lead, 

But  the  line  will  we  hug, 

Persistently  snug,  ^ 

In  spite  of  our  natural  dread. 

For  to  tickle  the  nose, 

While  lapped  in  repose, 

Of  the  lion  rampaciously  bold, 

Is  fun  all  alive, 

From  which  we  derive,  ■* 

Diversion  in  measure  untold. 


■ij  i_i".ffi..i..i.i...i. -."B-gr-wg 


AUTUMN  ETCHINGS. 

On  Italy's  soil,  in  sunny  France, 
Nor  yet  where  Rhenish  waters  dance. 
And  golden  sunbeams  warmly  glance, 
Through  skies  of  deepest  blue. 

Is  found  no  spot  more  brightly  fair, 
With  vintage  grown  so  richly  rare. 
Sweet  scenting  all  the  dreamy  air— 
Than  on  Lake  Erie's  isles. 

There  witching  views  the  sight  commands, 
Unbroken  stretch  the  vineyard  lands, 
Enclosing  with  their  purple  bands, 
The  lovely  pictured  shores. 

There  interspersed  with  rows  between, 
And  picturesquely  clad  are  seen. 
Athwart  the  mild  October  sheen, 
The  island  maidens  fair; 

And  blithely  'mid  the  foliage  dun, 
They  gather  grapes  and  have  their  fun. 
And  into  mellow  rhymelcts  run,  '  , 

With  careless  grace  and  free. 


179 


ii  1 


VINEYARD  DITTY. 

From  early  morn. 
With  ringers  light, 
And  spirits  gay. 
And  faces  bright — 

The  clusters  rare. 
We  deftly  cull. 
And  heap  with  care 
The  baskets  full. 

But  when  at  eve, 
A  crescent  moon, 
The  shadows  cleave. 
And  zephyrs  croon; 


I 


-    M 
!■    'i' 


180 


A  UTUMN  E  TCHINGS, 

We  haste  away, 
Where  torches  glance, 
To  join  the  gay 
"Grape  picker's  dance." 

And  midst  the  din 
And  festive  mirth, 
Forget  therein 
All  else  on  earth. 


It 


1  ^ 

I 


Serenely  fair,  the  Autumn  day, 
Now  softly  melts  from  gold  to  grey, 
And  lengthened  shadows  thickly  lay, 
The  vineyard  rows  among. 

Slowly  the  evening  steamer  threads 
Her  course  by  "Ballast  reef"  and  heads 
Bayward,  while  sunset  golden  sheds 
A  brilliance  over  all. 

So  when  for  me  life's  sunset  glow 
Shall  o'er  my  path  its  radiance  throw. 
Thus  may  I  pass  from  all  below, 
And  bid  the  world  "Good  Night." 


«^ 


A 


FRUIT  HARVEST 

In  the  Archipelagfo* 


(Photo  by  Rev.  W.  F.  Allen.)         PRUNING  THE  VINES, 


Vineyards 
— we  read  of 
them  in  po- 
etry and  i  n 
history,  i  n 
story  and  in 
song. 

Luxurious- 
ly spreading 
beneath  the 
genial  skies 
of     Sunny 

France  are  they  found,  and  westward  stretching  toward 
the  fartherest  outlying  coasts  of  Brittany.  They  cover 
the  Castillian  slopes  and  Andalusian  valleys  of  Spain, 
and  run  riot  about  the  ivied  castles  and  moss-grown 
ruins  of  the  historic  Rhine.  In  the  warm,  sheltered 
valleys  of  the  Apennines  and  along  the  classic  shores 
of  the  Mediterranean  they  grow  and  thrive,  and  the 
ripening  clusters  scent  the  dreamy  air,  while  the  redi 
white,  purple  and  gold  of  the  many  varieties  paint  the 
landscape  with  diversified  color. 

Probably  no  spot  within  the  Northern  States  east 
of  the  Rockies  more  resembles  these  storied  lands  of 


m 


i 


'    il 


182 


FRUIT  HARVEST 


m 

i 

m  ri 

m  \ 

ri  '-' 

'1  'h 

'4V     i  -  it 

m  I' 

'IK 

' 

L: 

poetry,  sunshine  and  grapes  than  do  the  ishinds  of 
Lake  Erie— a  feature  often  remarked  by  foreign 
tourists.  However,  not  alone  in  grapes  do  they  lux- 
uriate, but  in  every  variety  of  fruit  native  to  the  soil 
and  climate,  and  a  never  ceasing  wonder  to  autumn 
visitors  are  the  overwhelming  crops  produced.  Wher- 
ever the  steamer  touches  at  any  of  the  numerous  land- 
ings, and  especialU'^  at  the  principal  steamboat  wharves 
where  cargoes  of  fruit  are  taken  on  board,  the  observer 
is  strongly  impressed  with  the  extent  and  importance  of 
the  horticultural  interests  of  the  locality.  Business 
along  the  fruit  line  is  seen  to  overshadow  every  other 
concern  including  pound  fishing  which  ranks  second  as 
an  island  industry. 

The  rich  and  bountiful  exhibit  of  Pomona's  treas- 
ures becomes  less  of  a  marvel,  however,  when  it  is 
known  that  the  whole  extent  of  available  surface 
on  Put-in-Bay,  Middle  Bass  and  Isle  St.  George  com- 
prises each  a  magnificent  sweep  of  vineyard  and  or- 
chard lands  without  a  solitary  wheat,  corn,  oat  or  hay 
field  intervening,  and  only  occasional  small  pasture  lots, 
gardens  and  truck  patches  appearing. 

A  grain  reaper,  mower  or  threshing  machine  are 
things  never  seen  among  the  Bass  islands,  and  the 
resident  small  boy  would  undoubtedly  open  his  eyes  as 
widely  at  sight  of  one  of  these  objects  as  a  youthful 
landlubber  might  open  his  at  sight  of  a  big  lake 
steamer. 

While  the  farmer's  busy  season  is  in  rnid-summer 
when  the  grain  is  golden  and  the  meadows  are  sweet 
with  new  mown  grasses,  the  island  dweller  begins  his 
harvest  of  vine  and  orchard  products  in  early  September, 


IX  THE^ARCnrPELAGO. 


183 


\  \ 


continuing  it 
through  crisp 
October  and 
on  frequently 
until  bleak  No- 
vember blasts 
smite  his 
cheeks,  and  the 
frost- bl  ight 
sears  leaf  and 
blade.   During 

(Pb.obyRev.W.  V.  A.len,     DRIV,  NG  GRAPE  POSTS.  all  thcSe  Weeks 

of  fruit  gathering,  hauling  and  shipping,  so  busy  is  he 
that  the  proverbial  busy  bee  is  left  beliind  in  the  com- 
petition. 

Not  only  is  the  lord  of  the  vineyard  kept  constantly 
at  work,  but  likewise  all  his  help,  male  and  female, 
and  his  good  wife,  if  she  wills,  and  his  sons  and  daugh- 
ters and  relatives  near  and  distant,  with  goodness 
knows  how  many  outsiders,  are  marshalled  into  ser- 
vice. Housekeeping  affairs  must  languish  to  a  con- 
siderable extent,  of  course.  The  bread  gets  away, 
pies  and  cookies  mysteriously  disappear,  carpets  and 
furniture  get  dusty,  and  the  clothes  basket  becomes 
piled  with  soiled  clothes.  The  thrifty  housewife  chafes 
and  sometimes  scolds  over  existing  conditions,  but  is 
powerless  to  cope  successfully  against  such  fearful 
odds  of  dirt  and  disorder,  and  still  do  her  part  in  fur- 
thering the  fruit  gathering. 

Callers  who  come  unexpectedly  are  apt  to  find  the 
lady  of  the  house  in  the  vineyard  arrayed  in  a  ging- 


W' 


:i! 


v^ 


'i! 


184 


FRUIT  HARVEST 


ham  sunbonnet,  her  husband's  cast  off  coat  and  pos- 
sibly his  shoes.  She  looks  ruddy  and  picturesque, 
and  though  slightly  mortified  and  very  profuse  in  apol- 
ogies, laughs  jocosely  at  being  caught  in  "such  an  out- 
rageous plight." 

Agents  and  peddlars  bitterly  complain  of  finding 
"everybody  in  the  vineyard  and  nobody  at  home,"  and 
though  affording  them  excellent  opportunity  for 
munching  rich  clusters,  and  flirting  with  the  pretty 
young  girls  who  gather  them,  the  vineyard  is  a  bad 
place  to  talk  business,  and  their  trade  correspondingly 
suffers. 

At  the  islands  grape  picking  is  regarded  as  an  ex- 
ceptionally genteel  occupation,  and  young  ladies  who 
scorn  kitchen  accomplishments,  who  eschew  dining 
room  service  and  chamber  work,  take  as  kindly  to 
grape  picking  as  fish  take  to  water.  Among  the 
pickers  are  found  shop  girls,  dressmakers,  salesladies 
and  book-keepers,  and  they  sometimes  go  to  work  in 
dainty  sailor  hats  and  beaver  jackets;  but  most  of  them 
don  more  picturesque  attire.  Though  sickly  and  sal- 
low at  the  beginning,  the  bracini^  breezes,  the  sun,  the 
live  fun,  and  the  luscious  grape&  contribute  to 'give 
tone,  flesh  and  color;  and  the  picker  soon  begins  con- 
sulting the  grocer's  scales  and  to  mark  her  rapidly  in- 
creasing weight.  The  girls  who  pick  grapes  are 
usually  witty  and  wise,  as  well  as  gay  and  piquant. 
They  are  out  for  a  good  time  and  have  it,  and  why 
not?  when  the  sunshine  is  so  golden  and  sky  and  water 
such  a  lovely  tint,  and  the  beauty,  poetry  and  music  of 
nature  are  everywhere  felt  as  well  as  seen  and  heard. 
So  through  mellow  afternoons  while  lights  and  shadows 


IN  THE  ARCHIPELAGO. 


185 


\. . 


THE  VINEYARD  LANDS. 


play  amonjj 
the  vines  and 
he  aroma  of 
ripened  chis- 
ters  scents  the 
a  i  r — vv  h  i  1  e 
sea  gulls  dip 
and  fishing 
boats  come 
and    go,    the 

grape  pickers  are  busy,  and  blithe  and  song,  shout 
and  gay  repartee  are  heard  on  every  side.  They 
meet  many  pleasant  acquaintances,  form  lasting  friend- 
ships and  make  some  interesting  "mashes"  among 
susceptible  island  youths.  Many  who  come  to 
the  island  looking  thin,  pale  and  melancholy,  go  away 
jolly,  romping  girls,  a  trifle  sunbrowned  and  a  bit 
flreckled,  of  course,  but  healthy  and  happy. 

"Anybody  can  pick  grapes."  So  they  can,  but 
know  ye  that  it  is  an  art  to  be  studied,  and  to  do  the 
work  speedily  and  well  requires  extended  practice. 
There's  quite  a  knack,  for  instance,  in  rounding  up  a 
basket  of  grapes,  and  to  do  it  perfectly  requires  almost 
as  much  constructive  skill  and  artistic  ability  as  the 
planning  and  execution  of  an  elaborate  floral  piece. 

Now,  the  grape  shipper  is  very  fastidious  concern- 
ing his  baskets.  They  must  be  heaped  to  the  handles, 
yet  so  nicely  rounded  at  the  ends  as  to  allow  them  to 
be  stacked  up  in  tiers  one  upon  the  other  without 
bruising  the  contents.  They  must  show  to  advantage 
the  delicate  bloom  of  the  beauty  bunches  nestling  under 


m 


186 


FRUIT  HARVEST 


',:>!■ 


coverings  of  pink  tarletan.     They   must  look   smooth 
and  even,  and  all  imperfect  fruit  must  be  eliminated. 

There's  lots  of  character  in  basket  buildir>g,  so 
much,  indeed,  that  the  local  phrenologist  can  tell  there- 
from the  general  character  of  the  builder.  If  the 
basket  has  a  mussy,  topsy-turvy  appearance^  the 
nicker  is  dead  sure  to  be  slovenly  and  disorderly  in 
habits;  if  lop-sided  and  ill  proportioned,  generally  the 
individual  lacks  form,  calculation,  etc.  If  bad  grapes 
are  found  at  the  bottom  with  good  ones  on  top,  the 
picker  is  disposed  to  be  tricky.  An  honest  basket  in- 
dicates an  honest  builder,  and  one  symmetrically  topped 
proclaims  a  symmetrical  taste.  Thus  it  transpires  that 
if  a  young  man  with  an  eye  to  business  wants  to  learn 
what  kind  of  a  housekeeper  the  girl  who  has  been  his 
lale  vineyard  partner  will  make,  he  examines  the 
basket  she  has  filled.  In  like  manner  the  damsel  in- 
spects his,  and  reads  as  in  a  magic  mirror  as  to 
whether  he  will  make  a  model  husband  or  is  likely  to 
enter  the  house  without  cleaning  his  boots,  to  spit 
tobacco  juice  against  the  kitchen  siove  and  to  scratch 
matches  on  the  wall. 

The  results  of  a  day's  picking  are  a  surprise  to  the 
uninitiated.  There  are  baskets  and  baskets  by  scores, 
and  hundreds  brimming  with  sweetness,  and  it  is  quite 
a  trick  to  get  the  labels  in  place  and  the  tarletan 
corners  pinioned  down  smooth  and  tight.  This  done, 
they  are  loaded  upon  a  fruit  rack  made  to  fit  the 
wagon  and  conveyed  to  the  wharves. 

In  the  height  of  the  fruit  seascn  a  novel  spectacle 
is  presented  at  the  Put-in-Bay  docks.  The  ware- 
houses everywhere  are  jam  full  of  basketed  products 


f 


wmmm 


IN  THE  ARCHIPELAGO. 


) 


187 


— peaches,  plums  and  grapes — the  latter  largely  pre- 
dominating. Loads  are  still  being  discharged  and 
billed,  while  a  long  line  of  fruit-laden  wagons  stand 
waiting  one  upon  another  for  opportunity  to  deposit 
their  contents.  The  observer  wonders  at  the  patience 
of  the  drivers,  for  no  matter  how  great  his  hurry,  each 
bides  his  time  with  stoical  grace. 

Nearly  every  wagon  met  on  the  island  roads  is 
laden  with  grapes  and  other  fruit  for  the  steamer 
wharves.  Grapes  for  wine  purposes  are  enclosed  in 
heavy  wooden  boxes.  Fruit  speculators  abound,  and 
many  a  sharp  dicker  takes  place  between  buyer  and 
seller. 

Outgoing  steamers  of  all  the  island  lines  carry 
cargoes  of  fruit,  but  the  larger  bulk  is  sent  up  the  lakes 
via  Detroit,  and  the  signal  for  a  general  rush  at  the 
landing  is  the  arrival  of  the  Detroit  steamer  bound  up, 
which  on  account  of  taking  fruit  at  other  island  points 
does  not  reach  the  bay  until  late. 

By  the  brilliant  light  of  lamps  and  lanterns  her 
decks  appear  already  heaped  with  the  spoils  of  vine- 
yard and  orchard,  but  under  the  direction  of  their 
superior  officers  the  deck  hands  hustle  on  board  the 
large  consignments  still  awaiting  them.  The  scene  is 
a  busy  one.  There  are  many  spectators,  and  it  is 
sonetimes  quite  late  when  the  steamer  whistles  "off 
lines"  and  heads  away  for  Detroit. 

A  day  spept  in  the  island  vineyards  when  conditions 
are  favorable  is  a  day  to  be  remembered,  for  the 
sunny  climes  of  foreign  lands  can  furnish  no  fairer  or 
more  enchanting  scenes. 


I 


iSj' 


i  ■■:; 


I  •  t 


!;■■    j;: 


**  ISLE  DE  FLEURS/'  '= 


From  a  time  obscure  and  olden, 
Linked  by  chain  ot  legends  golden, 

To  the  present  day, 
Comes  to  us  a  pleasing  story, 
Full  of  reminiscence  hoary, 

Down  the  ages  grey. 

'Tis  about  a  lonely  islet, 
Stretching  under  skies  of  violet, 

In  the  hazy  west; 
Brightly  fair  among  the  number 
That  together  calmly  slumber 

On  Lake  Erie's  breast. 

Near  it  one  propitious  June  day, 
Anchored  fast,  a  wave-worn  brig  lay. 

After  voyage  long; 
Over  leagues  of  untried  waters, 
Where  the  dusky  warrior's  daughters 

Sang  their  chieftain's  song; 

While  upon  the  wavelets  lightly, 
Touched  by  silver  moonbeams  nightly, 

Sped  their  bark  canoes: 
But  the  white-winged  vessel  lying 
With  her  tattered  pennon  flying, 

Resting  from  her  cruise; 


*NoTE.— 'Accordiiifr  to  liistorical  ac>  )uiit.  the  first  sail  craft  that  ever 
cruised  the  island  waters  anchon'd  off  what  is  now  known  as  Middle  Bass, 
in  the  latter  part  of  the  17th  century.  The  vessel,  bound  up  the  lake,  carried 
a  party  of  I'Vench  missionaries,  anionfr  whom  was  Father  Louis  Hrnncsin. 
Upon  this  island  the  missionaries  landed,  and  there  conducted  the  first 
reliiifious  service  suppo.sed  ever  to  have  been  held  in  the  archi{)elago  by  rep- 
resentatives of  the  Christian  faith.  So  detifrhted  with  the  island  and  its 
rich  display  of  floral  wealth  were  these  early  navigato's,  that  thev  named 
it  Isle  de  /^Vfari— "Isle  of  Flowers'.' 


TSLE  DE  FLEURS, 

Was  the  first  sail  of  the  white  man 
Ever  risk  of  rock  and  reef  ran, 

On  Lake  Erie's  wave;  .    • 

And  the  painted  island  savage, 
Used  alone  to  war  and  ravage, 

Fearful  grew,  and  grave. 

On  the  beae'i  they  quickly  gathered. 
Youthful  brave  and  warrior  feathered. 

At  a  sight  so  new;  ' 

And  in  silence  there  awaited 
Small  boats  with  intruders  freighted, 

From  "the  winged  canoe." 

Facing  then  the  vessel's  captain. 
Quoth  an  aged,  dusky  chieftain: 

"Wherefore  art  thou  here  .'' 
Pale-face,  tell  us:    Cam'st  tht)u  hither 
All  the  red  man's  hopes  to  wither. 

By  the  breath  of  fear?" 

"Cam'st  thou  to  despoil  our  treasure, 
Basely  to  enslave  at  pleasure 

Youthful  maidens  fair? 
Cam'st  for  bloody  war  and  pillage, 
Ruthlessly  to  burn  our  village, 

And  our  braves  ensnare  ?" 

Then  a  man  of  stately  bearing. 
Symbols  sacred  meekly  wearing 

On  his  priestly  gown. 
Rose  to  greet  each  dusky  native, 
While  a  heartfelt  hymn  oblatlve 

Softly  floated  round. 

Spake  the  priest — a  Bible  holding, 
And  its  precepts  there  unfolding — 

"Came  we  that  strife  may  cease  ! 
Fear  not  these,  thy  stranger  brothers; 
This  our  motto— 'Love  to '"thers,' 

And  our  mission — peace." 


180 


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190 


ISLE  DE  FLEURS. 

Then  he  told  the  olden  story, 
Which,  transcendent  in  its  glory, 

Gilds  the  sacred  Word, 
And  the  painted  island  savage, 
Used  alone  to  war  and  ravage, 

Marveled  as  he  heard. 


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THE  PAINTED  ISLAND  SAVAGE. 

All  the  green  isle  overspreading, 
Widely  Jragrance  nchly  shedding 

Through  the  balmy  air  ; 
Bloomed  in  wild,  unkempt  profusion, 
'Mid  the  tangled  wood's  seclusion, 

Flow'rets  brightly  fair. 

With  the  lovely  shores  delighted, 
Which  these  voyagers  had  sighted. 

And  had  early  hailed — 
Isle  de  Fleurs — "Isle  of  Flovcers" — 
Named  they  thus  its  pristine  bowers 

Ere  again  they  sailed. 


ISLE  DE  FLEURS. 


191 


Cent'ries  now,  with  movement  solemn, 
Every  trace  has  swept  before  them 

Of  these  voyagers : 
Yet  this  isle  of  pleasing  story 
Bears  the  name  and  blossomed  glory 

Which  of  old  were  hers. 


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MIDDLE  BASS  CLUB  GROUNDS. 


MIDDLE  BASS 

And  Her  Attractions. 

As  one  of  the  trip- 
lets which  comprise 
the  "Bass"  group, 
Middle  Bass  inland 
i  s  a  section  o  f  the 
same  emerald,  so  to 
speak,  as  that  from 
which  Put-in-Bay 
was  cut.  Its  coves 
and  shore  lines  are 
pretty  and  pictur- 
esque, and  the  place  as  a  whole  forms  a  natural 
garden  spot.  The  primitive  name,  "Isle  de  Fleurs,"  is 
significant,  and  the  blooms  of  field  and  forest  not  only; 
but  fruits,  and  foliage,  and  vegetation,  both  wild  and 
cultivated,  unite  in  rendering  it  a  perfect  dream  of 
beauty. 

Middle  Bass  is  shaped  something  like  a  duck — 
minus  the  legs — the  neck  forming  East  Point,  a  long, 
narrow  projection  luxuriant  with  tangles  of  wild 
growths  and  picturesque  with  rough  rocks,  and  a 
tumbled  beach  over  which  ranting  storms  rush  and  roar. 
A  sort  of  "John  O'Groat's  house"  occupies  the  ex- 
treme point,  rising  boldly  over  creviced  shore  and 
dashing  sea. 


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AND  HER  A  TTRACTIONS. 


103 


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The  tail  of  the  duck  is  formed  by  the  bobhed  off 
western  portion  of  the  ishind.  Upon  this  caudle  ap- 
pendage is  located  the  grounds  of  the  Middle  Bass  club 
with  its  buildings  and  improvements.  That  Middle 
Bass  holds,  as  a  summer  resort,  an  important  place,  is 
due  to  its  charming  loci  tion  and  convenience  of  access 
not  only,  but  also  to  the  enterprise  of  this  association, 
which  has  expended  a  large  amount  of  money  in  fitting 
up  for  the  use  of  iis  mi^nbers  and  invited  guests  during 
summer  heats  a  most  delightful  rendezvous. 

The  approach  tht^reto  from  the  main  landing  at 
VVchrle's  is  by  an  angling  road  which  cuts  through  rich 
tracts  of  vineyard  and  orchard  lands,  while  to  left  and 
right  appear  the  neat  dwellings  of  islanders,  with  their 
prtlty  yards  and  gardens. 

The  grounds  are  sheltered  b}'  natural  forest  trees 
and  the  situation  is  refreshingly  cool  and  breezy.  In 
addition  to  the  magnihcent  club  house  with  massive 
tower  and  wide,  cool  verandahs,  they  also  contain  a 
handsome  pavilion  and  boat  house,  a  Gothic  chapel  in 
which  religious  services  are  conducted,  and  a  large  and 
elegant  hall,  at  which  are  held  club  parties  and  enter- 
tainments. These  attractions,  together  with  a  collec- 
tion of  artistically  built  cottages,  shaded  avenues  and 
carefully  kept  lawns,  form  in  themselves  a  village  of  un- 
rivalled beauty  and  elegance.  There  are  no  fences  to 
give  to  the  place  an  air  of  littleness  or  exclusiveness  and 
the  lawns  and  grass  plots  reach  ^.nbroken  to  the  gutter 
and  are  miracles  each  of  the  gardener's  skill.  Every 
beautiful  and  artistic  effect  is  studied  in  the  arrange- 
ment of  vines,  vases,  plants  and  shrubbery,  and  every 


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104 


MIDDLE  BASS 


detail  is  looked  after  with  the  most  scrupulous  neatness 
and  care. 

Pavements  of  smooth,  white  stone,  sawed  into 
blocks  of  uniform  size  and  thickness,  edge  the  main 
avenues  and  connect  the  club  grounds  with  the  steam- 
boat wharves  and  piers.    . 

During  the  summer  season  a  ferry  line  steamer — 
Le  Roy  Brooks — ^runs  between  the  club  ground  and 
Put-in-Bay,  and  viewed  from  the  steamer's  decks  as  she 
approaclies  the  former  place,  presents  an  exceedingly 
attractive  appearance.  Club  resorters  crowd  the  wide 
pier,  idly  promenade  the  avenues,  or  recline  in  the 
deep,  cool  shadows  of  spreading  trees.  Cots,  ca.r.p 
chairs,  rockers  and  tete-a-tetes  stand  ready  for  occu- 
pation, and  luxurious  hammocks  swing  invitingly. 

Ths  club  consists  of  200  members,  having  been 
limited  to  that  number,  and  represents  some  of  the 
wealthiest  and  most  influential  families  of  Toledo, 
Cleveland,  Cincinnati,  Springfield,  Dayton,  Chicago 
and  other  cities. 

In  the  club  membership,  or  on  the  list  of  invited 
guests,  annually  appear  names  of  prominent  men  such 
as  Governor  Asa  Bushnell  and  representatives  of  his 
staff;  Senator  Foraker,  General  J.  Warren  Keiffer, 
Judge  Haynes,  ex-Secretary  of  the  Treasury  Charles 
Foster,  and  Senator  Hanna.  These,  and  other  dis- 
tinguished public  men,  with  their  families,  are  members 
or  guests  at  this  resort.  Among  society  people  of 
prominence  entertained  there  from  time  to  time  may  be 
mentioned  the  Misses  Clay  of  Lexington,  Kentucky; 
Miss  Rusk,  daughter  of  Jeremiah  Rusk,  Mrs.  Reese, 
sister  of  Senator  Sherman,  and  ladies  of  like  prominence. 


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AND  HER  A  TTR ACTIONS. 


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The  cottage  of  John  Berdan  has  won  distinction  as 
the  home,  for  two  or  three  weeks  during  his  pres- 
idential campaign,  of  Benjamin  Harrison  and  family, 
who  were  then  guests  of  the  club. 

Life  at  the  club  is  delightful,  an(^  rest,  recreation 
and  happiness  are  found  in  m^iasure  unrestricted. 
Lawn  tennis,  bicycle  riding,  bathing,  boating  and  other 
pastimes  occupy  old  and  young.  Music  by  the  hotel  or- 
chestra, piano  or  mandolin  may  be  heard  during  the 
afternoon  and  evening.  Smging  by  select  solo  and 
quartette  performers  fill  the  air  with  a  medley  of  sweet 
sounds,  Rehberg's  hall  echoes  to  the  feet  of  dancers, 
gaily  painted  boats  and  swift  winged  yachts  put  out 
from  shore  laden  with  pleasure  parties.  Propellers, 
cargo  laden,  and  str  ags  of  b:irges  bound  up  and  down 
the  great  highways  of  commerce,  come  and  go,  and 
shadowy  sails  appear,  to  vanish  again  in  the  blending 
haze  of  sea  and  sky.  Such  is  life  at  this  little  earthly 
paradise. 

Among  resorts  there  is  none  which  so  strongly  at- 
tracts the  gayer  portion  of  visiting  crowds  than  that 
known  as  "Wenrle's  Hall"  where: 

'•Youth  and  pleasure  meet 

To  chase  the  glowing  hours  with  flying  feet." 

For  by  day  and  night  from  the  opening  of  the  sea- 
son to  its  close  are  heard  the  sounds  of  music  and  the 
dance,  and  thousands  come  and  go,  as  many  as  a 
thousand  persons  having  been  on  some  occasions  rep- 
resented in  the  hall,  the  assemblage  consisting  of  hotel 
guests  from  Put-in-Bay,  island  dwellers  and  parties  from 
Sandusky  and  other  points  who  arrive  on  moonlight 


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11 

I 


100 


MIDDLE  BASS 


WEHRLE'S  HALL. 

excursions.  On  such  occasions  the  hall  is  a  blaze  of 
light,  the  orchestra  pla\'s,  the  whistle  of  busy  ferry 
boats  is  heard— the  ///«,  a  well  known  and  favored 
little  steamer  and  other  boats  being  represented — and 
red  and  green  lights  twinkle  across  the  channel 
waters. 

At  a  late  hour  when  the  entertainment  is  over,  and 
the  steamers  with  their  crowds  move  away,  the  band 
strikes  up  a  lively  selection,  a  cannon  mouths  forth  a 
parting  salute  and  shouts  and  cheers  resound. 

Wehrle's  hall  occupies  the  upper  portion  of  an  ex- 


AND  HER  A  TTRACTIONS. 


107 


tensive  building  fronting  the  steamboat  wharves,  and 
is  reached  from  the  outside  by  flights  of  stairs.  A 
wide  balcony  projects  over  the  entire  front  and  across 
the  end  overlooking  the  residence  and  private  grounds 
of  the  late  Andrew  Wehrle.  The  hall  is  wainscotted 
with  light  oak  or  maple.  At  one  end  is  the  music 
platform,  at  the  other  end  billiard  and  other  tables. 
From  a  side  counter  customers  order  refreshments  of 
all  sorts,  which  may  be  had,  from  a  dish  of  ice  cream 
to  vnnes  of  every  brand,  and  the  tempting  goblet  with 
its  color  and  sparkle  and  seductive  sweets  goes  round. 

Under  the  hall  are  the  vaults  of  the  Wehrle  Wine 
company,  which  contains,  it  is  said,  some  of  the  largest 
casks  in  the  world. 


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EXPERIENCES  OF  AN  OLD  DOCTOR 

Among:  the  Islands  of  Erie* 


IK 


f  it: 


Though  small  in  area,  North  Bass  —otherwise 
known  as  "Isle  St.  George" — is  great  in  importance; 
so  rendered  by  the  many  heroes  of  adventure  there 
produced.  This  island  lies  four  miles  to  the  north  of 
Put-in-Bay.  Isolated  as  they  were,  its  early  inhabit- 
ants were  prone  to  all  sorts  of  difficulties  and  discom- 
forts which  overtook  them  whenever  they  made  an 
attempt  to  get  somewhere.  Following  is  an  old  doc- 
tor's description  of  his  first  visit  to  this  remote  isle  and 
subsequent  adventures  in  the  archipelago: 

"I  was  practicing  medicine  in  the  city  of  Rochester, 
N.  Y.,  and  having  business  in  Sandusky,  the  owner  of 
Isle  St.  George,  Henr}'^  Champion,  presented  me  a  power 
of  attorney  to  procure  a  lease  of  Roswell  Nichols.  He 
occupied  the  island  as  a  squatter.  To  get  to  the  place 
was  a  quandary — no  steamboat.  I  got  set  over  on 
the  peninsula  in  a  row  boat;  from  there  I  hired  an 
Indian  to  take  me  to  Put-in-Bay  in  his  canoe.  Thence 
I  got  passage  to  Isle  St.  George.  I  found  the  said 
Nichols,  his  wife  and  two  Scotts,  brothers  of  Mrs. 
Nichols,  sole  occupants.  At  a  later  date,  however,  I 
became  myself  a  resident  of  the  island. 

"A  mail  carrier  and  a  doctor  doing  a  traveling 
business  among  these  islands  frequently  have  some 
pretty  tough  experiences,  and  no  mistake." 


EXPERIENCES  OF  AN  OLD  DOCTOR. 


199 


The  speaker  :ipread  his  hands  over  the  big  base 
burner,  by  the  aid  of  which  he  was  trying  to  warm 
himself. 

"The  fact  is,"  continued  tlie  doctor,  after  a  moment's 
reflection,  "I  don't  believe  there  is  any  class  or  condition 
of  men  upon  this  terrestrial  ball  that  see  more  o.^  rough- 
and-tumble  experience  than  they,  unless  it  be  a  Rocky 
mountain  stage  coach  driver  or  an  Arctic  explorer. 

"1  have  roughed  it  on  old  Erie  for  years — not  as  a 
sailor,  but  as  a  doctor,  traveling  by  steamer,  skiff,  sail, 
team  and  on  foot.  Like  the  Flying  Dutchman,  I  am 
forever  on  the  wing,  beating  about  in  all  weathers,  over 
all  creation  and  a  part  of  Canada." 

"Indeed  !     So  you»    practice  extends  to  the  Cana- 


dian shores 


;'» 


"Oh,  yes;  I  have  had  practice  in  Leamington, 
Kingsville  and  other  places  along  the  Canada  main,  as 
well  as  at  Point  au  Pelee  Island,  Kelley  Island,  the 
three  Bass  Islands  and  the  peninsula. 

"I  have  traveled  back  and  forth  so  much  as  to  have 
nearly  lost  my  identity,  and  hardly  know  whether  I 
belong  to  the  United  States  or  Canada.  When  I'm 
here  Uncle  Sam  claims  me,  and  when  I  go  over  the 
lake  they  try  to  annex  me  to  the  Queen's  dominions." 

"I  suppose  you  find  it  risky  business,  sometimes, 
traveling  over  the  ice  ?" 

"Oh  yes,  indeed  !  It's  all  solid  enough  this  winter, 
but  I  have  been  called  from  one  island  to  another,  in 
the  pursuit  of  my  avocation,  when  it  wasn't  fit  for  any 
human  being  to  cross.  I  have  t»'aveled  for  miles,  from 
one  point  to  another,  when  I  had  to  bridge  the  whole 
distance,  the  ice  being  all  broken  up." 


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200 


EXPERIENCES  OF  AN  OLD  DOCTOR, 


"How  did  you  do  that  ?" 

"By  means  of  two  boards,  one  laid  in  front  of  tl  e 
other.  When  1  stepped  from  one  board,  1  pulled  up  the 
board  1  stepped  off  and  put  it  down  in  front,  and  so  on 
across.  Once  I  rc:member  I  came  pretty  near  going 
down,  boards  and  all.  I  tell  you  I  had  to  lay  my  bridge 
and  get  over  it  just  about  as  lively  as  anything  you 
ever  saw." 

"I  am  not  a  church  member,  and  yet  I  have  been 
immersed  in  Lake  Erie  often  enough  to  have  made  me 
one  several  times  over." 

"I  crossed  the  lake  once  when  the  ice  was  very 
treacherous.  I  carried  in  my  hand  a  long  pike-pole, 
and  picked  my  way  carefully  for  a  time.  At  last, 
I  got  careless,  and  being  in  a  hurry  did  not 
watch  my  footing,  when  all  at  once  the  ice  gave  way 
beneath  my  feet  and  in  I  went.  The  long  ends  of  the 
pole  saved  me,  catching  on  the  ice  and  holding  me  waist 
deep  in  the  water.  With  the  energy  of  desperation  I 
grasped  the  pike-pole  and  threw  myself  right  over  it, 
landing  upon  the  ice.  The  weather  was  intensely  cold, 
and  when  I  reached  shore  my  clothes  were  frozen  stiff 
and  covered  with  ice  like  a  coat  of  mail.'* 

"  'You  look  as  if  you  had  been  in  the  lake,'  ob- 
served a  man  whom  I  happened  to  meet." 

"  'Maybe  I  have,'  1  replied,  and  hurried  on  to  the 
nearest  house." 

At  this  po'nt  the  departure  of  the  mail  cutter  for 
Port  Clinton  caused  a  break  in  the  narrative,  and  but- 
toning up  his  overcoat  the  doctor  hurried  away  to  visit 
a  patient  upon  an  adjacent  island. 


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A  PERILOUS  ADVENTURE. 


11 


Trip  With  the  Island  Mail 


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Most  persons  who  read  tlie  newspapers  take  a 
lively  interest  in  txtiting  tales  of  clangers  and  escapes 
told  by  adventurers  in  remote  western  wilds,  in  moun- 
tain fastnesses,  among  Alaskan  glaciers,  or  mayhap 
with  train  robbers  on  the  night  express,  with  floods 
earthquakes,  blow-ups  and  blow-outs  of  all  descrip- 
tions. 

As  "distance  lends  enchantment,"  so  a  glamour  of 
romance  is  thrown  upon  these  distant  occurrences, 
investing  each  detail  with  an  abnormal  interest, 
while  oft-times  within  one's  immediate  neitj^hbor- 
hood  perilous  ventures  and  hair-breadth  escapes 
from  danirer  and  death  are  made  but  never  recorded. 
No  better  illustration  along  this  line  could  be  cited 
than  is  furnished  by  the  United  States  mail  service  in 
operation  between  the  Lake  Erie  islands  and  points  on 
the  mainland  during  the  winter  season.  Few  occupa- 
tions, indeed,  could  be  fraught  with  more  real  hard- 
ship and  precarious  undertaking,  and  only  the  hardiest 
of  that  hardy  race  of  amphibians  who  inhabit 
the  archipelago,  will  incur  the  risk  and  respons- 
ibility attaching  to  the  position  of  mail  carrier,  despite 
the  very  liberal  pecuniary  inducements  offered  by 
Uncle  Sam. 

The  experience  of  a  "landlubb'^r"  who  once  got 


202 


A  PER/LOUS  ADVENTURE. 


stranded  upon  the  islands,  is  one  among  scores  of 
stories  which  might  be  rehited  in  connection  with  the 
island  mail  service.  The  adventurer  who  lived  in  a 
thriving  inland  city,  had  been  necessitated  by  urgent 
business  to  visit  Isle  St.  George — the  most  northerly 
of  the  Bass  group. 

Fresh  from  the  noise  and  enterprise  of  busy  streets 
the  little  lone  isle  wrapped  in  its  wintry  environments 
appeared  to  the  stranger  most  desolate  and  forlorn. 
He  had  intended  remaining  over  night  only,  but  in  two 
hours  after  his  arrival  a  nor'easter,  one  of  the  heaviest 
that  ever  struck  the  islands,  swooped  down  w'th  a 
fury  that  sent  people  flying  to  their  houses,  birds  and 
animals  to  coverts  wherever  afforded,  and  made  the 
fisherman's  cot,  wherein  the  visitor  had  taken  refuge, 
rock  upon  its  foundations.  The  wind  blew  a  sixty 
miles  an  hour  gale,  and  the  lake,  which  had  been  frozen 
over,  was  broken  up  by  the  mighty  sweep  of  the  hur- 
ricane. The  sea  was  tremendous.  By  its  force, 
masses  of  ice  wtc  lifted  and  flung  high  upon  the 
shores  to  weatherward,  when  drenched  by  surf  and 
frozen  together,  they  formed  vast  solid  ridges  and 
ranges  of  ice  hills,  arched,  pillared  and  corniced 
like  the  facade  of  a  northern  iceberg,  and  rising  in 
places  to  a  height  of  forty  feet.  Spray  swept  in 
showers  across  adjacent  lands,  coating  heavily  with 
ice  rocks,  trees,  shrubbery  and  all  objects  within  a 
hundred  yards  of  shore.  Snow  blew  in  horizontal 
lines.  The  roar  of  the  wind  and  crash  of  the  ice  were 
terrific,  and  the  scene  presented  was  one  of  sub- 
limity. 

For  three  days  the  stranger  was  storm-bound  upon 


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n  two 
aviest 
vith  a 
Is  and 
de  the 
efuge, 
L  sixty 
frozen 
e  hur- 
force, 
ion  the 
and 
and 
niced 
ing  in 
ept   in 
with 
thin  a 
zontal 
e  were 
[    sub- 

d  upon 


is 


>r 


A  PERILOUS  ADVENTURE. 


203 


the  island.  Anxious  ones  at  home  awaited  his  return, 
wondering  at  his  long  absence.  Damaged  by  ice,  the 
wires  of  the  telegraph  cable  would  not  work  and  he 
could  send  them  no  message,  and  so  on  the  third  night 
the  storm  having  abated,  he  resolved  to  seize  the  first 
opportunity  of  escape  from  his  forced  exile. 

The  carrier  left  on  the  following  morning  with  the 
mail—  long  delayed — and  our  adventurer  was  duly  on 
hand  ready  to  accompan}-  him  as  a  "passenger"  to  the 
mainland.  The  mail-boat,  gotten  up  to  order,  was  a 
solidly  built  yawl  with  an  exterior  covering  of  sheet 
iron,  and  furnished  with  short,  narrow  runners. 

A  motley  crowd  gathered  at  the  island  postoffice 
to  see  the  carrier  off  with  his  party,  and  rlown  the 
frozen  ice  banks  they  were  soon  plunging  to  the  Jake. 
The  passenger,  U.  S.  mail  pouch  and  expressage  were 
stowed  in  the  stern,  while  the  carrier  and  his  as- 
sistants attired  in  water-tight  suits  and  rubber  boots 
managed  the  boat. 

The  entire  network  of  inlets,  bays  and  channels 
was  packed  throughout  with  heavy  ice  drift.  The 
surface  was  frozen,  but  not  sufficiently  to  bear  a  man, 
so  that  a  passage  for  the  boat  had  to  be  broken  and 
cleared  with  pike  poles.  It  was  hard  work  and  tedi- 
ous and  the  distance  between  Isle  St.  George  and 
Middle  Bass  seemed  interminable.  Lines  of  drift  four 
or  five  feet  deep  barred  the  way  at  some  points  across 
which — it  being  impossible  to  force  a  channel — the 
boat  was  drawn  and  pushed,  all  the  men  disembarking 
for  the  purpose,  save  the  passenger,  who  being  unused 
to  the  situation  was  ordered  to  keep  his  seat  as  the 
surest  means  of  keeping  out  of  the  way. 


;■'    til 


W: 


'  i'l 

5 

, ' 

;| 

'1 

:.  .?: 

11 

'T^ 


204 


A  PERIL  OUS  AD  VENTURE. 


The  ice  was  most  treatlierous.  The  waves  had 
broken,  pulverized  and  rolled  it  into  perfectly  round 
balls  of  all  sizes  from  a  lemon  to  immense  spherical 
bodies  many  feet  in  diameter.  These  ball-like  masses 
were  liable  to  crumble  beneath  the  feet  at  any  mo- 
ment. There  were  deep  holes  and  fissures  where 
water  appeared  and  crumbling  ice  obliged  the  men  to 
hastily  grasp  and  climb  into  the  boat.  The  surface, 
too,  was  broken  with  icy  knobs  and  sharp  spines 
rising  \\\^  in  places,  and  here  even  the  passenger  was 
required  to  land  that  the  boat  might  be  gotten  over 
with  less  exertion.  The  experience  was  new  and 
novel  to  the  stranger.  It  was  likewise  depressing  and 
made  him  wonder  vaguely  whether  he  would  ever 
see  home  again.  In  fact  he  would  have  parted  with  a 
snug  sum  to  have  been  safe  once  more  en  the  mainland. 

Middle  Bass  was  reached;  two  men  and  a  team 
were  waiting  to  convey  the  party  to  the  postofiice, 
where  another  mail  pouch  and  more  expressage  were 
shipped.  They  were  soon  again  on  their  way  toward 
the  eastern  extremity  of  Put-in-Bay.  The  channel 
between  these  islands  was  even  more  difficult  of  pass- 
age. The  ice  had  been  wildly  tossed  and  deeply 
drifted.  Contorted  images  of  mottled  marble  menaced, 
and  berg-like  masses  confronted  them.  Approaching 
shore,  the  drift  rose  several  feet  above  the  lake 
surface.  It  was  full  of  seams  and  cavernous  hollows, 
and  a  mass  giving  way  the  boat  suddenly  reared  and 
plunged  bow  foremost  into  the  opening.  The  pass- 
enger, mailbags  and  express  matter  were  as  suddenly 
shot  from  stern  to  stem,  where  they  lay  in  a  confused 
mass.     Two  men  went  into  the  water  to  the  girdle, 


A  PERfLOUS  ADVENTURE, 


205 


the  other  to  his  neck.  Then  and  there  was  a  squirm- 
ing time,  but  men  and  boat  subsequently  fisiied  each 
other  out,  and  got  righted,  and  wet,  cold  and  hungry, 
they  reached  shore  about  noon.  Here  the  mail  boat, 
by  which  they  had  crossed,  was  left  for  the  return 
trip.  At  this  place  a  second  iron-sheeted  boat  like  the 
first  had  been  left  on  the  beath,  which  the  carrier  had 
purposed  transporting  to  the  opposite  .*-ide  of  the  isl- 
and to  connect  between  Put-in- liay  and  the  peninsula; 
but  the  boat  had  disappeared,  having  been  buried  ten 
feet  deep  under  the  drift  ice  which  ridged  the  shore. 
Fortunately  the  exact  spot  where  it  lay  was  known* 
and  although  the  men  protested  against  the  long, 
laborious  task  the  carrier  insisted  upon  digging  it  out- 
Axes,  picks  and  shovels  were  procuretl  from  adjacent 
houses,  and  after  two  hours'  hard  work  the  boat  was 
dragged  forth.  With  mail  bags,  pike  poles  and  pass- 
enger, it  was  loaded  upon  an  islander's  wagon  and  con- 
veyed to  its  destination. 

At  the  Bay  villa<je  the  man  who  had  taken  an  in- 
voluntary  bath  exchanged  some  of  his  wet  garments 
for  others  furnished,  and  dinner  with  hot  coffee  was 
partaken  of  with  a  relish.  Mere  the  third  and  heaviest 
mail  bag  was  received  with  more  expressage.  Two 
more  "passengers"  anxious  to  reach  the  main  shore 
wished  to  join  the  carrier,  but  were  intimidated  by  re- 
ports of  the  bad  going  and  gave  it  up.  A  crowd  saw 
them  off.  The  day  was  wearing  along  ami  the  carrier 
hastened,  realizing  something  of  the  dithculty  yet 
ahead.  Several  miles  of  lake  were  still  to  be  jjfotten 
over,  with  the  prospect  of  having  to  break  and  force  a 
passage  the  most  of  the  way. 


'Jl 


A  PERIL OUS  AD  VENTURE . 


m 


'J.i  'i ! 


The  ice  was  found  to  be  in  a  most  precarious  con- 
dition, In  many  places  it  was  too  tough  U)  break 
without  great  effort,  yet  not  solid  enough  to  bear  men 
and  boat,  and  was  constantly  crumbling  beneath  their 
feet. 

To  make  matters  worse,  the  wind  freshened  and 
began  blowing  a  strong  gale  from  the  west.  Clouds 
which  had  skurried  al)(3Ut  early  in  the  tliy  thickened, 
and  snow  brgan  fiyi  g  with  prospects  of  m  >re  to  fol- 
low. The  passenger  grew  seri(»usly  alarmed;  he  was 
also  benumbed  with  cold,  and  to  keep  from  freezing 
begged  to  be  allowed  a  part  in  wielding  the  pike  poles 
and  propelling  the  boat.  The  wind  continued  and  the 
ice  broke  and  began  running  heavily  before  it.  Angu- 
kir  masses  ground  their  sharp  points  against  the  boat's 
sides  with  a  force,  which,  but  for  its  iron  mailing, 
would  have  shattered  it.  Midway  of  the  channel  they 
got  fast  in  a  running  drift  and  were  carried  eastward 
several  miles  before  they  could  extricate  themselves. 
One  of  the  men  had  broken  in  and  was  wet  to  the 
shoulders,  while  the  others  were  nearly  exhausted.  To 
intensify  the  unpleasantness  snow  began  falling  so 
thickly  as  to  entirely  blot  from  view  the  land.  The 
carrier  felt  in  all  his  pockets  for  the  compass  which  he 
usually  carried,  but  found  that  he  had  forgotten  to 
bring  it.  Twilight  was  then  falling  and  darkness  came 
on  apace.  Lights  were  invisible  from  shore  and  the 
party  realized  that  they  were  lost  on  the  running  ice, 
in  the  night  and  whirling  snow.  They  were  nearly 
dead  from  fatigue  but  struggled  on,  not  knowing 
whether  they  headed  shoreward  or  out  into  the  open 
lake.     While  assisting  m  working  the  boat  through  a 


A  PERILOUS  ADVENTURE. 


m 


tough  gorge  our  hero,  the  hindlul:)ber,  got  into  the 
water  over  head  and  ears,  and  being  less  dexterous 
than  liis  companions  narrowly  esiaped  being  carried 
away  under  the  ice.  He  was  badly  frightened  and 
more  dead  than  alive,  but  a  heavy  dose  of  brandy  from 
a  pocket  flask  served  to  restore  him.  There  was  no 
moon.  Clouds  shut  out  the  starlight  and  wind  and 
snow  cut  painfully.  In  this  sad  dilemma  an  idea  struck 
the  carrier.  The  wind  had  been  blowing  from  the 
west  and  was  probably  in  the  same  direction. 

"Why  not  steer  by  the  wind?"  This  suggestion 
was  acted  upon.  Another  hour  passed  when  to  their 
intense  relief  the  snow  ceased  falling  and  a  light  became 
visible.  Shouts  were  sent  up  and  soon  an  answer  came 
back  and  lanterns  twinkled  close  by.  The  carrier  and 
his  party  were  helped  ashore  by  men  who  came  out  to 
meet  them.  They  did  not  know  their  whereabouts, 
but  found  that  they  had  landed  a  few  miles  ':eyond  the 
point  for  which  they  had  aimed. 

A  steaming  hot  supper  served  before  a  rollicking 
fire  in   a  shore  dweller's  kitchen  reanimated   the  ex 
hausted  party,  and   an  hour  later  they  were  whirled 
away  to  the  nearest   depot,   arriving  just   in  time  to 
catch  the  outgoing  express. 

Our  landlubber  was  undoubtedly  the  happiest  and 
most  thankful  man  on  the  train,  but  the  island  mail 
reached  Sandusky  too  late  that  night  for  deliver}'. 


I    ■  1 


if 


:   U- 


')■•'«■ 


■■■4'*' 

iiii 


:     hi 


KELLEY  ISLAND. 


And  Her  Resources* 


T :.! 


A  condensed  vet  comprehensive  historv  of  Kelley 
Island,  once  given  by  an  old  resident  of  the  Bas-; 
group,  runs  as  follows: 

"In  the  beginning  Kelley  Island  was  eaten  up  by 
rattlesnakes.  You  could  harvest  them  by  the  wagon 
load,  and  the  varmints  held  high  carnival.  Then  came 
old  Ben  Napier,  the  pioneer  of  the  archipelago.  Old 
Ben  turned  lo  *se  a  drove  of  hogs  on  tl;e  island,  iind 
the  hogs  ate  up  the  rattlesnakes.  Next,  the  Kelley 
family,  alighted  on  the  spot,  and  ihe  Kclleys  ate  up  the 
hogs.  Then  came  the  Dutch,  and  the  Dutch  ate  up 
the' Kelley  s." 

This,  according  to  the  narrator,  completed  the 
history  of  Kelley  Island.  It  is  sincerely  hoped  that 
this  bit  of  pleasantry,  or  unple.isantry,  on  the  part  of 
a  cynical  puns.er  may  not  be  laid  up  against  the  per- 
petrator, as  he  is  now  dead  and  gone  to  his  reward. 

The  above  historical  representation  is  in  reality  a 
compliment  in  disguist,  marking,  as  it  does,  the  varied 
stages  throu<(h  which  the  island  has  passed,  and  indi- 
cating like  a  steam  gauge  the  irrepressible  energy  and 
enterprise  which  has  distinguished  from  early  days  its 
inhabitants.  A  more  detailed  account  of  the  island, 
its  history  and  pi  ogress,  will  be  intere^:ting  neverthe- 
less in  this  connection,  for  like  her  sister  isles,  much  of 


•n 


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KELLEY  ISLAND. 


209 


reminiijcent  interest  and  pleasing  romance  attaches 
thereto. 

Kelley  Island  enjoys  the  distinction  of  being  the 
largest  of  the  lake  group  belonging  to  Uncle  Sam.  It 
lies  in  a  southeasterly  direction  about  eight  miles  from 
Put-in-Bay,  and  almost  directl}^  north  of  Sandusky- 
The  bay-indented  shores  and  rock-ribbed  surface* 
diversified  by  vineyards,  orchards  and  natural  forest, 
as  seen  at  Kelley  Island,  afford  ample  stretches  of 
strikingly  picturesque  and  beautiful  scenery.  Her  re- 
sources are  varied  and  profitable,  and  her  population 
intelligent  and  thrifty. 

Several  separate  series  of  early  settlers  are  recorded 
as  havin<r  made  at  various  times  the  island  their  home, 
competing  with  the  dusky  aborigines  for  its  possession, 
each  in  tuiii  yielding  to  its  prioi  claimants  or  succumb- 
ing to  other  incidental  difliculties,  and  retiring  to  give 
place  to  new  batcnes  of  adventurers.  This,  it  seems, 
continued  up  to  the  war  of  '12,  when  the  few  white 
settlers  then  represented  were  driven  away  by  the 
menacing"  attitude  of  hostile  Indians.     Durinji  the  war 

k 

the  island,  it  is  recorded,  was  made  a  military  rendez- 
vous, Gen.  Harrison,  then  commanding  the  Army  of 
the  Northwest,  having  stationed  on  the  west  sliore  a 
guard  for  the  purpose  of  reconnoitering  the  move- 
ments of  the  British  and  Indians  on  the  lake.  As  late 
as  1828  tlie  cedar  tent-stakes  marking  the  encampment 
of  this  guard  were  still  standing. 

According  to  historians.,  the  squadron  of  Commo- 
dore Perry  lay  for  a  time  in  the  harbor  south  of  the 
island  previous  to  its  engagement  with  the  British. 
Wiiile  there,  Perry  received  on  board  his  flagship  Gen. 


I, 


ii 


'%.^ 


r 


I 'ill 


'  r  - 


IIP' 


f; 


iM. 


fii-iii 


■.•■j 
i  i 

!/i.! 


210 


KELLEY  ISLAND. 


Harrison  and  Gens.  Cass  and  McArthur,  who  came  to 
consult  the  naval  commander  concerning  his  plan  of 
action.  The  battle  of  Lake  Erie  in  1813  practically 
ended  the  war,  and  permanently  settled  a<^  the  same 
time  both  the  British  and  hidians.  The  red-skins 
skulked  away  in  alarm  after  the  defeat  of  their  allies, 
and  as  far  as  authentic  records  show  ne^er  again  re- 
turned on  sinister  motives  bent. 

With  the  passing  of  the  red  man  and  his  supremacy 
in  the  archipelago  came  more  adventurers. 

The  pretentions  of  modern  aristocracy  were  then 
unknown  to  the  Kelley  islander;  his  dwelling,  never- 
theless, was  solidly  and  entirely  constructed  of  red 
cedar,  and  the  cutting  and  shipping  of  this  rare  and 
valuable  wood  formed  an  industry  of  no  mean  import- 
ance. 

In  the  interests  of  Kelley  Island  prominently  figured 
about  that  time  a  primitively  constructed  steamer,  the 
"Walk-in-the- Water."  This  steamer,  built  in  1818, 
was  the  first  that  ever  plowed  the  waters  of  the  lake, 
and  not  only  as  a  marvel  of  inventive  genius,  but  as  a 
most  important  adjunct  of  his  commercial  interests, 
was  she  regarded  by  the  Kelley  Island  denizen.  There 
were  no  docks  to  facilitate  the  landing  of  vessels,  and 
the  then  reigning  prince  of  the  isle — Killam  by  name  — 
carried  in  his  sailboat  loads  of  red  cedar  to  the  Walk- 
in-the-Water  as  she  lay  at  anchor.  Some  of  this 
timber,  cut  into  suitable  lengths,  was  used  to  fire  the 
steamer's  engine,  for  in  those  days  there  was  cedar  "to 
burn." 

The  career  of  the  Walk-in-the- Water  was,  how- 
ever, brief.     After  two  years'  service  she  was  wrecked 


1;! 


KELLEY  ISLAND. 


211 


,  (. 


A  GLIMPSE  OF  SHORE. 

and  lost  off  Point  Albino.  This  destroyed  the  cedar 
trade  at  Kellev  Island  and  disheartened  Killam,  who 
soon  after  left  with  all  his  belongings.  After  Killam's 
departure  followed  a  period  cf  six  years  in  which  the 
island,  as  far  as  known,  was  destitute  of  any  perma- 
nent inhabitants,  though  adventurers  occasionally  vis- 
ited it. 

Notwithstanding  its  almost  complete  desertion,  the 
island  became  productive  of  a  tragedy  during  this  period, 
a  review  of  which  caused  to  contract  with  horror  the 
spinal  vertebrjA3  of  occupants  who  came  after.  The 
parties  to  this  affair  were  Grummets  and  Barnum. 
These  companions  in  solitude  quarreled.  Barnum  shot 
tmd  killed  Grummets,  and  disposed  of  the  mangled 
body  by  placing  it  in  a  leaky  skiff  and  sett:n<^  it  adrift. 
The  wind  carried  tlie  boat  out  into  the  open  lake,  where 
it  sank  with  its  ghastly  freight. 

Ante-dating  this  occurrence,  according  to  local  tra- 


if- 


I 
1 
'it 


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■  i 

5l 


»,1 


foil 

m 


j.u 


i,ii 


m 


212 


KELLEY  ISLAND. 


i 

1     !■ 

s 
i' 


dition,  an  adventurer  lived  on  the  island  with  his  wife 
and  boy,  the  only  inhabitants,  but  in  mid  winter,  wife 
and  child  were  suddenly  stricken  by  death.  The  solitary 
mourner  performed  for  them  unaided  the  last  sad  rites, 
rounding  with  his  own  hands  their  graves;  after  which, 
unable  in  his  grief  and  loneliness  to  endure  the  spot,  he 
left  it,  never  to  return. 

In  1826  Elisha  Ellis  and  his  wife  effected  a  settle- 
ment on  the  island.  A  little  later  they  were  joined  by 
Samuel  Beardsley  and  wife.  They  occupied  one  house, 
and  were  the  sole  inhabitants  up  to  182S,  when  Mrs. 
Beardsley  died.  She  was  buried  on  the  shore,  but  her 
grave  was  afterward  washed  away  by  the  rising  waters 
of  the  lake,  with  that  of  a  young  woman — one  Mary 
Kellogg — who  came  to  the  island  in  1829,  died  soon 
after  and  was  buried  beside  Mrs.  Beardsley.       , 

.  During  the  winter  of  1829  and  '30  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Ellis,  Henry  Elilhorpe  and  an  individual  known  as 
"Tinker  Smith"  formed,  it  is  said,  the  total  population 
of  the  island.  It  was  therefore  a  decided  boom  for  the 
place  when  in  the  summer  of  1830  three  additional 
families  moved  thereon. 

Somewhere  about  the  year  1833  a  mimic  lord,  in 
the  person  of  a  French  trapper  named  Ben  Napier, 
tried  to  appropriate  the  archipelago,  or  that  portion  at 
least  included  in  Put-in- Bay  and  Kelley  Islands.  By 
what  fancied  right  this  pioneer  squatter  sought  to  assert 
and  maintain  his  monarchical  reign  does  not  now  ap- 
pear; sutllce  to  say  that  he  made  himself  very  much 
at  home  and  very  numerous  in  both  places,  and  gave 
the  individuals  who  afterward  came  into  possession  of 
these  islands  a  lot  of  trouble. 


KELLEY  ISLAND. 


213 


Accordin^r  to  local  legend,  old  Ben  lived  on  the 
flesh  of  swine,  fowls  of  the  air  and  fish.  The  fowls 
and  fish  were  supplied  by  the  woods  and  waters,  while 
the  swine  were  bred  in  large  droves  by  the  squatter, 
and  led  a  "root-hog-or-die"  existence,  fattening  upon 
acorns  and  other  forage,  or  growing  lean,  hungry  and 
savage  when  the  desired  grub  was  lacking.  When- 
ever JJen  wanted  meat  he  climbed  a  tree,  taking  with 
him  his  gun,  and  ensconced  among  the  branches  awaited 
the  appearance  of  these  wild  porkers,  and  when  a  drove 
came  within  range  he  blazed  away  at  the  largest  and 
plumpest.  He  thus  kept  his  table  supplied  with  fresh 
pork  cutlets,  ham  and  spare  ribs,  and  grew  corre- 
spondingly fat  and  saucy;  and  neither  by  threats  nor 
coaxing  could  he  be  induced  to  relinquish  his  luxurious 
mode  of  life,  nor  to  depart  from  the  island.  Like  the 
hogs  which  he  ate,  he  became  very  pugnacious.  He 
appropriated  to  himself  in  high-handed  style  the  prop- 
erty of  his  neighbors,  and  only  by  legal  measures  was 
he  finally  ousted. 

For  the  first  time  since  its  occupation  by  whites 
the  island  was  then  permanently  settled,  having  become 
after  some  litigation  the  property  of  Irad  Kelley,  of 
Cleveland,  and  Datus  Kelley,  of  Rock  port. 

With  the  days  of  primitive  savagery  and  lawless 
piracy  at  an  end,  dawned  a  new  era  of  individual  but 
legalized  prosperity.  Up  to  this  date  the  island  had 
been  known  as  "Cunningham  Island,"  so  failed  after 
its  first  occupant,  an  Indian  trader  who  flourished  there 
before  the  wai  of  1812;  but  A'ith  its  survey  and  final 
transfer,  it  was  rechristened  and  placed  upon  the  record 
books  as  Kelley  Island—  a  name  which  has  become  as 


111 


i     :  .,{  Jii, 


'A 


"■X'. 


IM 


ff :  m 


'■■■'■■'i'il 


I  ! 


*      II 


214 


KELLEY  ISLAND. 


STREET  LOCKING  NORTH. 


widely  known  and  as  permanently  established  as  that 
of  the  family  from  which  it  was  derived. 

Impressed  with  the  belief  that  the  place  was  destined 
to  figure  as  a  prominent  commercial  center,  the  Kelley 
brothers  began  at  once  making  improvements  in  the 
way  of  dock  building,  in  order  to  facilit.ite  the  landing 
of  vessels  and  the  shipment  of  building  stone,  lime  and 
red  cedar — the  island  being  rich  in  these  natural  prod- 
ucts. They  sought  also  to  encourage  an  extension  of 
its  population  by  settlement  of  lands,  and  with  this 
object  in  view  placed  on  sale  at  fair  prices,  lots  and 
parcels  of  their  possessions.  Many  purchases  of  homes 
were  made,  and  the  island  speedily  became  settled  by  a 
class  of  people  whose  chief  characteristics  were  saga- 
city, industry,  and  thrift. 

The  ample  bay  on  the  south  shore  afforded  a  safe 


KELLEy  ISLAND. 


215 


that 


safe 


anchorage  for  vessels  passing  up  and  down  the  lake, 
and  the  docks  and  warehouses  were  filled  with  mer- 
chandise of  divers  sorts.  Cosy  cottages  appeared 
which  in  time  gave  place  to  more  pretentious  dwell- 
ings; and  churches,  school  houses,  hotels  and  other 
buildings,  both  public  and  private,  arose  to  attest  the 
growing  prospe  ity. 

The  forests  of  cedar  long  siuce  disappeared  before 
the  woodman's  ax.  With  them  the  trade  in  cedar 
wood  became  a  reminiscence,  but  not  until  it  had 
materially  contributed  to  the  wealth  of  the  island 
inhabitants.  However,  ihe  stone  and  lime  interests 
have  since  developed  into  large  proportions.  Dt;rricks 
are  numerous,  large  forces  of  men  are  employed  in  the 
quarries,  and  the  Kelley  Island  Lime  &  Transport 
Company  carries  on  extensive  operations  along  these 
lines.  After  a  glance  at  the  vast  areas  of  quarried  and 
corded  stone,  and  the  outcropping  ledges  remaining, 
the  island  as  a  whole  suggests  itself  as  a  single  big 
lime  rock,  with  a  layer  of  earth  spread  over  it. 

The  culture  of  grapes  and  manufacture  of  wine  are 
carried  on  extensively.  Among  horticulturists  of  prom- 
inence are  mentioned  the  names  of  the  Kelleys,  Charles 
Carpenter  and  others. 

Like  adjacent  members  of  the  group,  Kelley  [sland 
has  latterly  become  prominent  as  a  summer  report, 
which  is  shown  by  her  summer  hotels  and  cottages 
for  the  entertainment  of  summer  people. 

The  island  is  likewise  noted  for  its  important  geo- 
logical formations,  as  veil  as  for  its  Indian  antiquities, 
either  of  which  would  be  sufficient  in  itself  to  render 
the    island   famous.     A  description  of  the   former  is 


i  M'l 


■'.''i!;. 


1 


f.|i 


51-: 


ywk 


ill 


■  ■■  m 


216 


KELLEY  ISLAND. 


lit 


i 

■■»■■■■    ^'-'■'^^■'fl 

i 

u 

&pH 

i 

.    1 

BAYSIDE  COTTAGE. 


elsewhere  given 
in  this  volume 
under  the  head- 
ing: "  Some  In- 
teresting Geolog- 
ical Features." 

Concerning  the 
latter,  the  re- 
searches of  anti- 
quarians have 
resulted  in  some 
important  discoveries.  That  the  island  formed  a  fav- 
ored  haunt    o  f    the   red  tribes  i  s  evidenced    by    the 

ancient  mounds,  fortifications  and  other  remains. 

The  grounds  now  occupied  by  the  residence  of 
Addison  Kelley  are  supposed  to  have  formed  anciently 
the  site  of  an  extensive  Indian  village;  pottery,  pipes 
and  other  articles,  and  implements  of  Indian  manufac 
ture,  such  as  ancient  grindstones,  tomahawks  and 
hatchets,  being  there  found  in  abundance. 

Remains  of  earthworks  are  numerous,  the  most 
extensive  being  found  on  the  Huntington  property, 
inclosing  an  area  of  nearly  seven  acres. 

The  most  interesting  relics  of  this  vanished  race, 
however,  take  shape  in  what  are  known  as  "Inscrip- 
tion Rocks" — two  in  number  — one  of  which,  located 
on  the  north  shore,  contains  sculptured  pipe-smoking 
figures.  The  second  and  most  famous  lies  in  the 
water's  edge,  near  the  steamboat  wharves.  The  rock 
is  32  feet  long,  21  wide,  and  rises  about  11  feet  above 
the  water.  It  was  originally  discovered  in  1833  by 
Charles  Olmstead  of  Connecticut,  while  studying  the 


^iven 
lume 
lead- 
In- 
)log. 

rthe 
re- 
jnti- 
lave 
ome 
fav- 
the 


I*: 


i  of 

ntly 

ipes 

ifac 

and 

nost 
!rty, 

ace, 
rip- 
ated 
dng 

the 
ock 
)ove 

by 
the 


i 


w 


\\l 


UJ 

o 

I 

CO 


D 
O 
i/> 

UJ 

I 


C5 

Z 

o 


a 

z 
< 


UJ 


UJ 


u 

(£ 
O 

I 
I/) 

I 
Z3 

o 
(/> 

UJ 

I 
»- 

Z 

o 

_l 
< 

I 

o 

z 

< 


>- 

UJ 


UI 


KEFJ.FA'  ISLAND. 


.?■-»-■ 


217 


|:' 


HONEY-COMB  ROCKS. 


:j.l 


<,^rooveH. 


C 


oncerniniT 


tl 


lis    roc 


we  CO 


py 


an 


glacial 

authority  as  follows: 

"It  i«?  a  part  of  the  same  stratification  as  the  island 
from  which  it  has  been  separated  by  lake  action.  The 
top 
1 


rese 
mestone 


nl 


ts  a  smooth  r  jd  polished  surface,  like  all  the 
of  this  section  when  the  soil  is  removed,  sug- 
gesting the  idea  of  glacial  action.  Upon  this  the  in- 
scriptions are  cut.  The  figures  and  devices  are  deeply 
sunk  in  the  rock,  Schoolcraft's  Indian  Antiquities  says 
of  it: 


I  ^ 


■■■  -.'jri  v  5^  ,-^.— -v.-- 


218 


KELLEY  ISLAND. 


, 

1 

"*"     .«»- 

^fl 

f 

\ 

TMiMIMIlii 

^aEjgjJiiEJ^ 

^^    rtai.i=*JiS 

.jjjfjwi^^^^^ 

Qgl^<**   '^ ^'-■' " 

rv--^ 

^^^''-*^^*^^j^^i«i&, 

^f^i: 

r     . 

-f-7-.-.                    ■■,..%     .; , 

INSCRIPTION  ROCK. 


!     J 


"  'It  is  by  far  the  most  extensive,  best  sculptured  and 
best  preserved  inscription  of  the  antiquarian  period 
ever  found  in  America.  It  is  in  the  picture-graphic 
character  of  the  natives.  Its  leading  symbols  are 
readily  interpreted.  The  human  figures,  the  pipe- 
smoking  groups  and  other  figures  denote  tribes,  nego- 
tiations, crimes  and  turmoils  which  tell  a  story  of 
thrilling  interest  connected  with  the  occupation  of  this 
section  by  the  Eries,  of  the  coming  of  the  Wyandots, 
of  the  final  triumph  of  the  Iroquois  and  flight  of  the 
people  who  have  left  their  name  on  the  lake.  In  185 1 
drawings  of  these  inscriptions  were  made  by  Col. 
Eastman,  U.  S.  Army,  who  was  detailed  by  the  gov- 
ernment at  Washington  to  examine  them,  on  the  rep- 
resentation of  Gen.  Meigs,  who  had  previously  ex- 
amined them.  Copies  of  the  inscriptions  were  made 
and  submitted    to   Shingvauk,    an    Indian   learned    in 


■''^ 


KELLEY  ISLAND. 


219 


Indian  picturegrapby,    and  who  had  interpreted  prior 
inscriptions  submitted  to    him.'  " 

Through  the  aid  of  a  chart  kindly  furnished  the 
writer  of  this  sketch  by  a  lady  resident  of  the  island, 
many  characters  on  the  great  rock  were  plainly  de- 
ciphered, but  the  action  of  the  elements  and  footstep*; 
of  the  many  adventurers  and  curio  htrnters  who  for 
years  have  made  it  th4i  Mecca  of  their  pilgrimages 
have  worn  its  pictured  surface;  and  unless  some  means 
are  taken  for  their  restoration  and  preserviintion,  these 
inscriptions  wi'i  in  time  be  obliteratc^d. 


I'lS 


'':  i'- 


nego- 
|ory  of 
if  this 
ndots, 
of  the 

Col. 

gov- 
e  rep- 
ily  ex- 
made 
led    in 


^■■n 


'^ECHO:'^  THE  IROQUOIS  MAIDEN. 


^\A' 


CHAPTEF<  I. 


The  Untutored  Savagfe  and  His  Haunts. 

At  that  period  of  American  history  when  all  the 
vast  country  to  the  South,  North  and  West  of  Lake 
Erie  formed  a  wilderness  almost  untrodden  by  the 
white  man,  opens  our  story.  Where  busy  marts  of 
trade  and  thriving  villages  now  stand,  then  appeared 
the  wigwa  :.s  of  tribal  chiefs  and  burned  their  council 
fires.  Where  fertile  farming  lands  and  orchards 
stretch,  and  cosy  cots  and  pretentious  dwellings  are 
seen,  slept  undisturbed  by  echoes  of  civilized  Hfe 
forests  primeval. 

The  wind's  solemn  roar  in  the  mighty  woods, 
the  howl  and  bark,  the  snap  and  snarl  of  wild  beasts, 
and  the  savage  warrior's  whoop  were  sounds  then 
most  familiar.  Reptiles  swarmed  in  the  dark  swamps. 
Tall  grasses  and  underbrush  formed  a  rendezvous  for 
crouching  panthers,  and  strange  birds,  congregated  in 
flocks  innumerable  amongst  thickly  crowding  branches, 
set  everything  agog  with  their  shrieking  notes. 

Painted,  feathered  and  picturesquely  attired  in  the 
barbaric  costume  of  his  race,  the  red  savage  watched 
from  his  accustomed  hilltops  year  by  year  the  sun  rise 
and  set,  and  the  moons  come  and  go,  still  holding  in 
undisputed  possession  his  title  as  "Monarch  of  the 
Wilderness." 


''ECHOr  THE  IROQUOIS  MAIDEN, 


221 


About  this  time  there  lived  a  chieftain  named 
Tawapsett,  a  representative  of  the  Seneca  tribe,  and  a 
branch  of  the  once  powerful  Iroquois. 

Tawapsett  was  skilled  in  war,  and  so  true  his  aim 
that  a  bird  on  the  wing  could  he  cleave  with  his  feath- 
ered arrow.  For  many  years  on  the  banks  of  a  stream 
he  had  pitched  his  wigwam;  he  was  honored  by  his 
followers  and  many  braves  of  other  tribes  smoked  by 
his  campfire  the  pipe  of  peace,  and  listened  with  interest 
and  admiration  to  the  thrilling  stories  of  adventure  told 
by  him  of  his  ai?.cestors. 

Tawapsett  had  an  only  daughter,  of  whom  he  was 
very  proud,  who  bore  the  name  Wineska.     In  that  rare 
type  of  beauty  peculiar  to  her  race,  the  maiden  was  per- 
fect.    None  among  all  the  women  of  the  tribe  were 
deemed  us  beautiful  as  she.     Black  as  night,  her  long 
hair   f«^ll   in   shining   masses    over   shapely   shoulders. 
Faultless  were  her  features,  with  a  complexion  bright 
aid  glowing,  and  a  flash  in  her  dark  eyes  like  that  of 
an  eagle.    A  lithe  form  and  a  step  light  as  a  fawn's  were 
hers.     A  robe  of  scarlet  covered  with  beaded  decora- 
tions fell  in  folds  about  her,  and  a  necklace  and  brace- 
lets richly  wrought  encircled   neck  and  arms.       The 
maiden  possessed  various  accomplishments.     She  was 
skillful  at  beadwork,  embroidery,  and  the  forming  of 
strange  and  novel  designs  in  colored  quills  of  the  por- 
cupine.    She  was  gifted  also  with  a  clear  and  richly 
modulated  voice  and  the  songs  which  she  sang  entranced 
the  listener  and  awoke  among  the  hills  the  echo.     Thus 
it  transpired  that  her  father,  the  chieftain,  resolved  to 
change  her  name,  and  henceforth  she  was  known  as 
"Echo." 


1   ^ii 
1 

"I 

}  i 

■ 

■    i 

N:i 


IT' 


( 


•i  'i 


i. 


;■:  1.1 


ll,  J 


222 


'ECHOr  THE  IROQUOIS  MAIDEN. 


Among  the  many  admirers  of  this  lovely  maiden 
was  a  youthful  chief — an  Algonquin — named  Mokego. 
Having  once  been  subjugated  by  the  Iroquois,  the  two 
tribes  were  on  no  very  amicable  footing,  and  Mokego^ 
the  young  Algonquin,  was  strictly  prohibited  from 
making  advances  toward  the  daughter  of  Tawapsett. 
To  make  matters  worse,  "Echo"  manifested  a  positive 
disHke  for  Mokego,  and  in  a  fit  of  rage  and  despair  the 
chieftain  resolved  by  fair  means  or  foul  to  possess  the 
maiden. 

With  a  body  of  warriors  he  stealthily  approached 
the  camp  of  the  Iroquois  chief,  near  which  they  secreted 
themselves  in  a  dense  thicket.  Here  Mokego  recon- 
noitered,  awaiting  a  favorable  opportunity  of  making  a 
descent,  or  still  better,  of  kidnapping  the  daughter  of 
Tawapsett  and  bearing  her  away  to  his  tribe. 

Tawapsett  and  his  sons,  together  with  the  warriors 
by  whom  he  was  surrounded,  combined  so  much  of 
courage  and  strength,  however,  that  the  heart  of 
Mokego  failed.  He  dared  not  attack  the  Iroquois  and 
so  he  lay  m  ambush  watching  when  and  how  he  might 
carry  out  his  designs.  On  the  second  day,  accompanied 
by  a  number  of  squaws.  Echo  was  seen  wending  her 
way  along  the  banks  of  the  stream.  Its  course  led  near 
the  ambuscade.  They  were  at  some  distance  from  the 
camp  of  Tawapsett,  and  wholly  ignorant  of  danger, 
were  conversing  in  their  native  tongue,  when  a  rustle 
of  leaves  startled  them.  Several  Algonquins  sprang 
from  among  the  trees  and  seizing  Echo  bore  her  away. 
The  outcry  of  the  frightened  women  aroused  the  camp, 
and  immediately  the  war  cry  of  Tawapsett  and  his  men 
resounded  through  the  forest.     It  wao  answered  defi- 


''ECHOr  THE  IROQUOIS  MAIDEN. 


228 


mors 
ich  of 
art    of 
Dis  and 
might 
anied 
g  her 
d  near 
m  the 
|anger, 
rustle 
prang 
away, 
camp, 
s  men 
defi- 


antly by  the  band  of  Mokego,  as  mounted  on  swift 
ponies  they  dashed  away  with  their  prize.  For  several 
hours  they  rode  at  the  highest  rate  of  speed  possible 
over  the  rough  ground  and  through  the  thick  under- 
brush. Discerning  no  signs  of  pursuit  and  believing 
themselves  entirely  out  of  the  enemy's  way,  they  finally 
halted  to  rest  their  ponies.  They  secured  Echo  by 
fastening  her  with  cords  to  a  tree,  built  a  fire  of  dry 
^imbs  and  prep  ired  to  roast  a  deer  slain  by  their  arrows. 

With  characteristic  cunning  Tawapsett  had  fol- 
lowed them  stealthily  but  closely.  So  guarded  were 
his  movements  that  not  a  suspicion  thereof  was  enter- 
tained by  the  pursued  party. 

The  latter  had  finished  their  repast  of  venison  and 
were  about  to  retake  themselves  to  their  ponies  when 
a  terrific  yell  burst  from  the  forest.  They  were  sur- 
rounded upon  all  sides,  and  a  ohower  of  leaden  bullets 
and  arrows  began  pouring  upon  them.  A  desperate 
fight  ensued,  in  which  nearly  all  of  Mokego's  band 
were  killed  and  scalped;  himself  and  two  or  three  war- 
riors only  escaping.  Echo  was  borne  back  to  her 
father's  v^igwam,  while  the  vanquished  Mokego  vowed 
vengeance  upon  the  Iroquois,  resolving  to  have  at 
sometime  the  chieftain's  scalp  and  to  secure  at  any  cost 
the  beautiful  maiden.  In  this  manner  beixan  a  feud 
between  the  Iroquois  and  Algonquins  which  had  lasted 
for  more  than  seventy  moons  and  was  still  bitter,  when 
through  that  portion  of  the  Indian  country  began  cir- 
culating rumors  that  the  aggressive  "pale  faces"  had 
appeared;  that  hordes  of  them  were  coming  from  be- 
yond the  Alleghenies  of  the  east  and  were  settling 
almost  in  their  midst,   that    they  were    levelling  the 


<^ 


If 


224 


''ECHOr  THE  IROQUOIS  MAIDEN. 


:i:i:1 


■!.i.' 


I    ^! 


forests,  dispersing  the  game  and  encroaching  in  various 
ways.  At  campfire  and  council  meetings  these  move- 
ments were  fully  discussed  and  many  of  the  older  and 
more  sagacious  received  the  intelligence  with  many 
grimaces  and  dubious  shakes  of  the  head. 

Time  passed,  and  still  the  ax  of  the  pioneer  continued 
its  ravages.  Small  villages  and  trading  posts  sprang  up 
as  if  by  magic,  and  the  red  man  trembled  for  his  title  of 
supremacy  held  by  him  through  unnumbered  centuries. 
Then  came  additional  rumors  of  war  and  commotion, 
penetratmg  the  dim  wilderness  and  awakening  new 
wonder  and  appiehension.  A  powerful  n;ition,  it  was 
said,  on  the  further  side  of  the  Atlantic  had  sent  over 
its  fleets  and  armies  for  the  purpose  of  conquering  the 
white  nation  on  this  side.  Soon  from  end  to  end  of  the 
lake  came  news  of  musterings.  Regiments  and  brigades 
of  armed  whites  —British  and  American — were  on  the 
march,  and  great  ships  swarming  with  men  and  laden 
with  terrible  munitions  of  war  were  seen  on  the  lake. 
Regarding  as  the  red  man's  natural  enemy  the  whites, 
whose  customs  so  differed  from  their  own,  and  whose 
interests  were  so  antagonistic,  Tawapsett  cherished  for 
them  only  jealousy  and  hatred,  and  gathering  about 
him  his  braves  he  thus  addressed  them : 

"Sons  of  the  Storm  Cloud  and  Tempest: — You 
have  heard  of  the  great  chiefs  who  command  the  two 
nations  of  pale  faces  now  at  war.  One  has  come  eagle- 
winged  over  the  waters  of  the  rising  sun.  He  is  soar- 
ing in  the  sky  and  soon  will  swoop  down  upon  the  vul- 
ture chief  whose  subjects  overrun  our  lands  and  spoil 
our  hunting  grounds." 

"While  they  mangle  a  id  destroy  each  other  let  the 


''ECHO:''  THE  IROQUOIS  MAIDEN. 


225 


Sons  of  the  Storm  Cloud  and  Tempest  swear  by  our 
own  great  chieftains  whose  spirits  have  flown  to  the 
happy  hunting  grounds,  to  stand  ready  when  the  time 
comes  to  kill,  burn  and  disperse  from  among  us  the 
carrion  fiends  of  the  vulture  chief." 

"The  Great  Spirit,  source  of  life,  will  provide  for 
the  squaw  and  papoose  of  the  red  man  and  will  charm 
away  the  evil  spirit  of  Defeat.  Let  us  follow  the  war 
path  wherever  it  leads,  and  with  us  carry  death  and 
confusion  to  the  pale  faces." 

At  the  conclusion  of  this  harangue  there  arose  a 
generi;!  murmur  of  approbation,  followed  by  the  oran- 
dishing  of  war  clubs  and  tomahawks,  as  with  pro- 
longed yells  they  joined  in  a  war  dance  around  the 
campfire.  While  thus  excited  and  occupied,  Tawapsett 
had  unconsciously  relaxed  the  vigilance  with  which  he 
had  been  accustomed  to  guard  his  daughter  from  the 
designing  Algonquin. 

*-Fire  water,"  then  a  new  and  favored  beverage,  was 
freely  dealt,  and  thereby  stimulated,  the  dance  became 
wild  and  weird.  It  was  brought  to  an  abrupt  close, 
however,  by  the  discovery  that  Echo  was  missing  from 
the  camp — for  the  maiden  still  lived  in  the  wigwam  of 
her  father,  though  the  hand  and  heart  of  many  a  brave 
had  been  offered  her. 

"The  vile  Algonquin  has  stolen  her  away,"  mut- 
lered  Tawapsett.     "Let  us  pursue  !" 

It  was  not  long  before  the  cunning  Iroquois  and 
his  followers  struck  the  trail  of  Mokego.  Through 
stretches  of  tall  prairie  grasses  and  wild  rice,  forest 
and  swamp  land,  northward  they  traced  him  to  the 
shores  of  Lake  Erie.     While  his  followers  dispersed 


I  . 


.     I 


t-i. 


^^ 


•ay 


226 


''ECHOr'  THE  IROQUOIS  MAIDEN. 


in  different  directions,  Mokego  had  placed  the  captive 
in  a  canoe  there  waitin*^  and  was  ah'eady  far  out  on  the 
waters,  swiftly  paddling-  toward  a  long  blue  stretch  that 
outlined  a  distant  island. 


CHAPTER  II. 


Life  in  the  Log  Cabin  of  an  Island  Pioneer. 

Amidst  dense,  dark  thickets  of  red  cedar,  which 
intermingled  with  <.  ther  native  forest  growths  coverea 
from  end  to  end  the  lonely  island,  appeared  a  small 
clearing.  Surrounded  by  stumps,  log-heaps  and 
brush  piles,  were  two  or  three  rude  but  newly  built 
cabins  forming  the  homes  of  French  squatters  who 
had  worked  their  way  thither  from  Canada.  The 
representatives  of  this  tiny  colony  were  hunters 
and  traders,  and  at  that  period  comprised  the  entire 
white  population  of  the  island,  although  its  shores 
were  made  the  rendezvous  from  time  to  time  of  In- 
dians bearing  half  a  dozen  different  tribal  names,  who 
came  and  went  in  their  bark  canoes  on  fishing  and 
hunting  excursions.  From  the  clearing  with  its  log 
habitations  led  a  path  to  a  niche  in  the  shore,  belted  at 
its  base  by  sand  and  gravel  and  edged  with  wild 
shrubbery  forming  a  thick  covert  into  which  were 
drawn  up  and  secreted  boats  belonging  to  the  settlers. 

The  cabin  of  an  individual  who  earned  a  livelihood 
by  trading  with  the  Indians  formed  a  shelter  for  his 
family  not  only,  but  a  storehouse  in   a  small  way  for 


''ifft 


\vA 


''ECHOr  THE  IROQUOIS  MAIDEN. 


•)•) 


-2.1 


articles  and  commodities  of  Indian  commerce,  as  well 
as  for  those  of  the  white  man's  production,  the  former 
consisting  in  part  of  bear  and  deer  skins,  furs,  wamp- 
um, maple  sugar,  beads  and  peltry;  the  latter,  of 
blankets,  flaxen  and  w  oolen  fabrics,  rice,  coffee  and 
tobacco. 

The  chinks  between  the  unhewn  logs  of  the  cabin 
were  daubed  with  mortar  made  from  island  lime  which 
there  abounded,  and  the  chimney  built  of  native  lime 
rock  was  a  massive  affair.  The  rafters  were  formed 
of  poles  cut  from  straight  saplings  and  the  roof  of  un- 
dressed slabs.  A  huge  slab  turning  upon  hinges  of 
wood  and  fastened  by  a  wooden  latch  served  as  the 
front  and  only  door.  The  flooring  was  of  puncheon, 
roughly  rived  from  oaken  timber.  A  single  window, 
high  and  narrow,  opened  upon  a  patch  of  growing 
corn  and  vegetables,  and  admitted  the  light  through 
paper  oiled  to  render  it  transparent.  Rough  stools  and 
benches  served  as  seats.  A  bed  decorated  with  red 
and  yellow  patch  work  stood  in  one  corner  and  a 
puncheon  table  covered  with  a  cloth  of  homespun  linen 
occupied  the  middle  of  the  cabin.  An  open  cup- 
board contamed  the  household  stock  of  earthen-ware, 
cutlery,  pewter  and  potter}- — a  limited  but  invaluable 
collection.  Shelves  ranged  along  one  side  of  the  apart- 
were  laden  with  the  merchandise  of  which  mention 
has  been  made. 

The  walls  fairly  bristled  with  pegs  which  were 
hung  with  garments  of  "linsey-woolsey,"  deer  skin 
and  fur,  together  with  an  array  of  various  articles, 
such  as  powder  horns,  stag  antlers,  fishing  rods  and 
rifles.     A   few    rude   ornaments   decorated   the  rude 


m 


,i''m\ 


li 


■f'm 


i      ;i 


If 


':•!), 


228 


"ECHO."'  THE  IKOQUQIS  MAIDEN, 


mantel-piece,  and  above  it  in  an  oaken  frame  hung  an 
old  print  representing  William  Penn's  treaty  with  the 
Indians.  Another  household  article — of  too  great  im- 
portance to  be  overlooked — was  the  spinning  wheel. 

In  a  w  i d e- 
mouthed  chim- 
ney blazed  a  fire 
which  was  never 
permitted  to  die. 
Day  and  night  it 
flickered,  flamed, 
smouldered  or 
smoked  in  accord 
with  its  varying 
moods  and  con- 
ditions. A  sooty 
crane  swung  in 
the  center,  and  a 
pair  of  straddling, 
w  roughtir  o  n 
"fire-dogs"  per- 
formed v/ell  their  duty  in  holding  up  the  "fore- log.'' 
A  long- handled  shovel  and  a  pair  of  massive  torjgs 
reclined  against  the  "jamb,"  and  a  tinder  box  with 
steel  and  flint  lay  on  the  mantel.  Hams  of  smoked 
venison,  bunches  of  dried  herbs  and  other  articles 
and  edibles  dangled  from  the  ceiling,  and  a  long- 
legged  "Dutch  oven"  in  which  was  baked  the  ap- 
petizing "Johnny  Cake" — smoked  upon  the  hearth. 
In  this  little  world  the  good  wife  toiled  day  by  day 
frymg,  roasting,  baking,  brewing,  spinning,  reeling. 
Every  day  in  answer  to  her  conjuring,  platters  full  of 


THE  CABIN  HEARTH. 


■1i 


''ECHOr  THE  IROQUOIS  MAIDEN. 


229 


a 


wild  fowl,  fish  and  venison,  steamed  upon  the  table 
with  swimming  gravies,  "pone,"  hominy  and  "slap- 
jacks." Her  broad  shouldered  husband  and  his  two 
strapping  sons  sai  down  to  this  feast  with  ravenous 
appetites,  which  having  appeased  they  drank,  a  cup 
each  of  spice  wood  tea  or  roasted  rye  coffee;  partook 
sparingly  of  the  pumpkin  butter,  or  crab-apple  jelly 
set  before  th<Mii  as  after  relishes,  and  rose  up  to  loosen 
their  buckskin  belts  and  give  expression  in  deep-drawn 
brenths  to  the  satisfaction  which  was  theirs. 

"Trader  John,"  as  he  was  called,  bartered  with 
the  Indians  who  came  and  went  in  their  canoes. 
Sometimes  in  a  "dug  out,"  rigged  with  a  bear-skin 
sail  and  accompanied  by  one  of  his  sons,  he  made  trips 
across  to  the  peninsula,  where  he  visited  the  wigwams 
of  the  Ottawas  and  Ojibways.  Sometimes  he  directed 
his  course  to  the  camp  of  the  chieftdin  Ogontz  by 
•'Clearwater  Bay."  Sometimes  to  Venice,  then  the 
chief  trading  center  of  the  shore  settlers,  where  he  ex- 
changed his  Indian  wares  for  the  products  of  pioneer 
industry. 

Father  .r»d  sons  were  on  amicable  terms  with 
most  of  the  Inaians  who  frequented  tl  ese  places,  and 
so  familiar  bad  they  become  with  Indian  customs, 
habits  and  manners  as  to  be  quite  at  home  among 
them.  They  had  learned  sufllciently  the  varied  dia- 
lects and  signs  in  use  by  the  different  tribes,  to  be 
able  to  hold  converse  with  any  and  all  individual  rep- 
resentatives thereof,  and  were  thus  fitted  for  their 
chosen  occupation. 

During  the  absence  of  "Trader  John,"  and  the  son 
who  accompanied  him,  the  son  who  remained  behind 


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230 


''ECHOr  THE  IROQUOIS  MAIDEN. 


It! 


worked  in  the  clearing,  hoed  the  corn  and  cut  cedar 
wood  for  transportation  down  the  hike. 

On  one  of  these  occasions  Anatohi,  the  eldest,  was 
left  behind.  Anatola  was  a  young  man  of  athletic  but 
graceful  build,  and  singularly  handsome  features. 
Having  wielded  the  ax  until  weary,  the  young  man 
took  his  rifle  and  started  out  in  quest  of  game  with 
which  to  replenish  the  family  board.  He  had  tramped 
for  some  time  about  the  irland,  stumbling  over  rocks 
and  crowding  through  tangles,  but  had  dislodged 
nothing  excepting  a  nest  of  rattlesnakes.  Both  the 
snakes  and  himself  had  had  a  hot  time.  He  had  left 
about  fifty  dead  upon  the  field,  and  fatigued  and 
thirsty  was  on  h:s  way  to  the  adjacent  shore  for  a 
drink  of  water.  He  was  just  emerging  from  the 
woods  upon  a  stretch  of  level  beach  when  an  ap- 
proaching canoe  containing  a  man  and  woman  at- 
tracted his  attention. 

With  that  caution  which,  born  of  necessity,  grew  to 
be  a  second  nature  to  the  early  pioneer,  Anatola  drew 
hastily  back  and  secreted  himself  behind  some  bushes. 
Peering  through  a  small  opening,  he  closely  scanned 
the  canoe  and  its  occupants. 

A  stalwart  savage  leaped  ashore  and  seized  the 
woman  whose  hands  were  bound.  Though  at  a 
^  distance  of  fifty  yards,  Anatola  could  see  that  she  was 
an  Indian  maiden  of  rare  beauty  and  a  captive,  for  she 
cried  piteously  and  begged  to  be  allowed  to  return  to 
her  tribe.  Save  an  occasional  gruff  response,  her 
raptor  paid  no  attention  to  these  supplications,  but 
from  the  broken  and  fragmentary  sentences  let  fall, 
Anatola  correctly  inferred  that  he  was  taking  her  to  a 


II      i' 


''ECHOr  THE  IROQUOIS  MAIDEN. 


281 


camp  of   Algonquins  on   another   part   of  the   island, 
intending  there  to  make  her  his  wife. 

The    twain    were    Mokego    and    the  daughter   of 
Tawapsett. 


t  \% 


I 


CHAPTER  III. 
A  Desperate  Struggle. 

Indignation  at  the  perpetration  of  such  an  outrage, 
burned  in  the  heart  of  Anatola,  and  Sfiint  the  blood 
surging  to  his  temples.  With  rifle  levelled  he  ap- 
proached the  savage.  The  latter  was  leading  away 
the  dispairing  girl,  one  hand  clutching  her  arm,  the 
other  a  flint-lock  musket. 

"Release  her  !"  commanded  the  white  man,  his 
rifle  aimed  at  Mokego's  head. 

"She  big  Indian's  wife,"  remonstrated  the  latter. 

"No,  no;  I  am  not  his  wife  !"  wailed  the  captive. 

"Release  her  this  instant  or  you're  a  dead  man." 

Anatola  nervously  fingered  the  trigger.  The  ugly, 
painted  face  of  the  savage  scowled  with  rage  and 
terror,  but  he  let  go  his  hold. 

"Throw  down  that  gun." 

The  wily  Indian  hesitated.  By  a  rapid  and 
dextrous  movement,  he  could  bring  his  piece  to  bear 
upon  the  pale  face,  but  the  latter  read  his  thoughts 
and  kept  his  searching  eyes  upon  him.  Anatola's 
finger  was  beginning  to  press  the  trigger. 

With  a  half  surpressed  ejaculation  of  wrath,  Mo- 
kego  threw  down  the  gun. 


II 


i 

I:; 

-■:.i 

1^^ 


m 


'1  '  **  i 

) 
■( 

i 

1 

j 

1 
il 

i' 

i 

liJ 

L 

232 


''ECHOr  THE  IROQUOIS  MAIDEN. 


"  Now  take  yourself  off,  you  red  devil  !" 

This  command  was  immediately  obeyed,  and 
lowering  his  rille,  Anatola  advanced  to  where  cowered 
the  Indian  girl. 

Overwhelmed  with  gratitude  to  her  deliverer. 
Echo  knelt  before  the  white  hunter,  clasping  his 
hands,  and  kissing,  and  moistening  them  with  tears  of 
thankfulness. 

In  a  few  words  she  told  the  story  of  lur  abduc- 
tion, and  Anatola  listened  with  a  thrill  of  interest,  for 
her  brilliant  beauty  tilled  him  with  admiration. 

''I  v/ill  take  you  to  my  mother,"  he  said. 

**Nay,  but  to  my  father  would  I  return." 

"To  your  father  will  I  take  you,  fair  one,  but  not 
today,  for  see  a  storm  is  gathering.  He  pointed  to 
masses  of  clouds  which  were  sweeping  up  from  the 
horizon  and  to  the  lake,  which  had  assumed  a  grass- 
groen  color. 

"Yonder  canoe  could  not  live  for  a  minute  in  a 
tempest  such  as  that  which  approaches." 

"Haste  !  let  me  take  you  to  my  mother." 

The  girl  looked  up  into  his  face,  reading  there 
naught  but  kindness  and  compassion,  and  placing  her 
hand  trustfully  in  his,  submitted  to  his  guidance. 

Not  far  had  they  gone  before  the  storm  struck 
with  terrific  force.  In  an  instant  the  air  was  filled 
with  flying  limbs  and  trunks  of  trees,  and  rain  poured 
in  sheets  so  that  they  could  not  see  their  way. 

Unable  to  proceed,  they  took  refuge  beneath  a  pro- 
jecting ledge  of  rocks.  After  a  drenching  shower  the 
rain  ceased.  The  wind  still  blew  a  gale,  but  they 
were  now  enabled  to  go  forward  and  were  leaving  the 


■If. 


''ECHO."  THE  IROQUOIS  MAIDEX. 


233 


covert,  when  with  a  backward  ghince  the  girl  uttered 
a  startled  cry.     Her  companion  abruptly  turned. 

With  features  working  in  a  frenzy  of  diabolism 
frightful  to  behold  and  tomahawk  uplifted,  Mokego 
stood  within  six  feet  of  the  pale-face.  The  savage  had 
stealthily  followed,  and  in  another  instant  his  gleaming 
weapon  would  have  buried  itself  in  Anatola's  skull. 
Quick  as  thought  he  parried  with  his  rifle  the  descend- 
ing stroke.  The  two  then  clutched  each  other.  Unable 
to  use  his  rifle  Anatola  flung  it  from  him  and  gripped 
the  savage. 

Mokego  made  several  lunges  at  his  adversary  with 
the  tomahawk,  but  the  latter  managed  to  parry  them. 
Closely  clutching  each  other,  they  were  now  upon  the 
edge  of  a  rocky  shore.  Anatola  lost  his  footing,  and 
togethei  they  roHed  to  the  beach  below,  still  locked  in 
a  vice-like  embrace. 

More  cunningly  skillful  than  Anatola  was  the 
Algonquin,  and  the  former  now  found  his  strength 
fast  failing.  With  one  arm  about  his  neck  and  pressed 
tightly  against  the  windpipe,  the  savage  was  slowly 
exhausting  his  victim  by  strangulation.  The  white 
hunter  felt  as  one  might  feel  with  the  tentacles  of  a 
devil-fish  clasped  about  him. 

He  struggled  desperately,  the  sweat  drops  beading 
his  forehead,  but  was  powerless  against  superior  skill 
and  strength.     All  would  soon  be  over. 

Echo  had  stood  by,  a  silent  and  horrified  spectator. 
Seized  at  last  by  a  sudden  impulse,  she  darted  forward 
and  with  both  hands  began  loosening  one  by  one  the 
fingers  that  clutched  the  throat  of  Anatola.  By  a 
mighty  effort  she  succeeded   in  releasing  from  that 


I'll 


V! 


n 


■  '■   hi',  a 


'^.^''' 


■WTf 


234 


''ECHO:''  THE  IROQUOIS  MAIDEN. 


awful  death  grip  the  pale  face,  and  he  regained  his 
breath.  Echo  clung  desperately  to  the  great  sinewy 
hand,  with  its  bare,  tattooed  arm  exposed.  Thus  re- 
lieved Anatola  managed  to  shift  his  position  to  one 
more  advantageous.  Fast  in  his  girdle  hung  the 
scalping  knife  of  Mokego.  For  an  instant  as  they 
struggled  it  touched  Anatola's  hand.  Quick  as  thought 
he  seized  it,  and  while  the  savage  was  endeavoring  to 
free  himself  from  Echo's  grasp  the  former  plunged 
the  knife  into  Mokego's  bosom.  With  a  fiendish 
howl  fell  the  Algonquin.  The  blade  had  struck  to  the 
heart's  center,  and  in  a  few  moments  he  was  dead. 

It  was  now  Anatola's  turn  for  gratitude  to  the  In- 
dian maiden,  but  for  whom  he,  instead  of  Mokego, 
would  have  been  weltering  upon  the  ground.  He 
clasped  the  girl's  hands,  and  looking  into  each  other's 
faces,  each  felt  that  the  friendship  thus  formed  be- 
tween them  was  destined  to  be  life-long. 

The  white  victor  forebore  taking  ihe  scalp  of  the 
dead  chieftain,  but  he  removed  from  the  waist  of  his 
fallen  foe  a  girdle — composed  of  human  hair  of  vari- 
ous shades  and  iextures,  cut  from  the  scalps  secured 
by  its  owner.  With  this  ghastly  relic,  Anatola  and 
his  companion  left  the  spot. 

To  the  Indian  girl  this  island  was  familiar  ground 
as  in  the  company  of  her  father,  as  it  chanced,  she  had 
frequently  visited  it,  and  she  now  pointed  out  to  the 
white  hunter — who  at  once  became  her  lover — ancient 
sites  of  Indir,n  villages  and  forts,  and  a  massive  rock- 
tablet  extensively  covered  with  characters  and  sym- 
bols centuries  old  sculptured  on  its  face.  The^e,  as 
she  explained,  told  the  story  of  the  ancient  Eries,  who 


,1f 


''ECHOr'  THE  IROQUOIS  MAIDEN. 


235 


had  given  their  name  to  the  lake  and  the  wars  in 
which  they  had  engaged ;  of  the  coming  of  the  Wyandots, 
their  dispersion  and  the  final  triumph  of  her  people,  the 
Iroquois. 

So  cittached  to  the  maiden  had  Anatola  grown 
that  within  a  few  hours  after  their  first  meeting  he 
asked  her  to  become  his  wife.     Echo  hesitated. 

"The  white  hunter's  people  will  not  receive  me," 
she  replied. 

"Many  French-Canadian  hunters  and  traders  take 
Indian  wives,"  returned  Anatola, 

"Then  be  it  as  you  say."  Thus  plighted  was 
their  troth. 

For  three  days  raged  the  gale  that  had  struck  the 
island  immediately  after  Mokego  and  his  captive  had 
landed  upon  it.  At  the  end  of  that  period  came  a  lull, 
and  while  Echo  remained  in  the  cabin,  her  white 
lover  went  abroad  to  hunt  and  to  fish.  On  his  return 
he  found  the  little  settlement  in  violent  commotion. 
During  his  absence  a  party  of  Indians,  headed  by  Ta- 
wapsett  had  visited  the  trader's  cabin,  and  though  the 
old  chief  had  refrained  from  molesting  those  who  had 
given  his  daughter  protection,  her  request  to  see  and 
bid  farewell  to  Anatola  was  refused,  and  despite  her 
tears  and  protestations  the  maiden  was  carried  away. 
Their  canoes  were  then  fast  receding  toward  the  penin- 
sula and  the  intrepid  and  half-crazed  lover  declared  his 
intention  of  following.  The  mother  expostulated,  and 
while  discussing  the  matter,  the  captain  and  crew  of  a 
trading  vessel — which  unnoticed  had  stolen  into  the 
bay — appeared  at  the  door.  Their  faces  were  flushed 
and  excited,  and  they  hastened  to  inform  the  settlers 


-■^;i 


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r  '  i 


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i;       !  Ji 

!i        1        : ! 

i'                .'■           '■■■ 

. 

1                11 

MiM 

230 


''ECHO:''  THE  IROQUOIS  MAIDEN. 


of  the  news  just  received  in  the  mainsl  ore  vsettlements 
of  Hull's  surrender  in  the  Northwest,  and  probable 
uprising  of  the  Indians  which  was  expected  to  im- 
mediately follow. 

"White  settlers  must  now  flee  for  their  lives,"  said 
the  captain. 

The  vessel  was  bound  for  a  small  trading  post 
near  the  mouth  of  the  Huron  river,  and  the  captain 
kindly  offered  to  carry  thither  the  cabin  dwellers. 

Anatola  could  not  leave  his  mother  unprotected, 
and  to  visit  alone  at  that  time  the  peninsula  in  quest  of 
his  betrothed  bride  would  have  been  madness.  With 
the  settlers,  therefore,  who  had  hastily  collected  their 
valuables,  he  proceeded  on  board  the  vessel  to  the 
Huron  trading  post,  and  thence  to  the  fort  a  short 
distance  up  the  river. 

Learning  on  arrival  that  a  military  company  was 
about  to  take  its  departure  for  the  peninsula  on  an  ex- 
pedition against  the  Indians,  who  had  already  attacked 
the  white  settlers,  he  joined  it,  and  fully  armed  and 
equipped  the  company  made  their  way  thither.  A 
fierce  skirmish  between  a  body  of  militia  and  a  band  of 
Indians  had  taken  place.  The  former  had  been  greatly 
outnumbered  and  compelled  to  retreat  to  a  log  house, 
which  they  had  defended  for  three  days.  Wearied  by 
their  lack  of  success  or  learning  of  the  approach  from 
the  Huron  river  port  of  reinforcements,  the  Indians 
finally  dispersed,  and  with  the  arrival  of  the  company 
the  b-'leaguered  garrison  weie  set  at  liberty. 

Several  dead  bodies  of  \  /hites  and  red  skins  at- 
tested the  closeness  of  the  combat.  Among  the  num- 
ber lay  a  swarthy  Iroquois  chieftain  who — as  Anatola 


ECHO:''  THE  IROQUOIS  MAIDEN. 


237 


afterwards  learned — was  Tavvupsett,  the  father  of  his 
betrothed. 

While  scouring  about  the  peninsula  a  day  or  two 
after  their  arrival,  a  party  of  soldiers  captured  a  small 
band  of  Indians  caught  depredating.  They  were 
brought  into  camp,  and  with  them  was  found  the 
chieftain's  daughter.  Anatola  received  her  with 
transport,  and  Echo  wept  tears  of  joy  at  beholding 
him. 

Together  the  twain  proceeded  to  the  Huron  river 
fort  where  they  were  legally  united — a  missionary 
priest  officiating. 

A  small  monument  erected  on  the  spot  by  its  sole 
survivor — then  remaining — the  distinguised  congres- 
sional  representative,  Joshua  R.  Giddings,  just  fifty 
years  after  the  date  of  the  memorable  battle  in  which  fell 
Tawapsett,  the  Iroquois  chieftain,  is  all  that  remains  at 
the  present  day  to  commemorate  the  struggle. 

As  to  what  became  of  Anatola  and  his  dusky  bride 
it  is  not  definitely  known,  eighty-six  years  having 
merged  in  oblivion  their  subsequent  history. 

All  traces  of  the  island  cabin  which  they  once  oc- 
cupied have  now  disappeared,  but  the  pictured  face  of 
"Inscription  Rock"  still  bears  symbolic  records  of  the 
island's  primeval  dwellers — the  red  tribes — now  passed 
to  their  "Happy  Hunting  Grounds." 


^li 


I. 


yi! 


I    :i 


I  f 


1. 1 


1       ) 


EVERYTHING  WRONG; 

Or  the  Trials  of  Nicholas  Bcctlcbrow, 


CHAPTER  I. 


An  old  resident  was  Nicholas  fieetlebrow.  He 
lived  in  a  flat,  squarely  built  house  situated  on  an  ex- 
tremity of  the  island  known  as  "Land's  End."  This 
house  had  once  been  new,  and  Mr.  Beetlebrow  had 
once  been  young,  but  house  and  owner  were  now 
growing  old  together.  Both  were  getting  weather 
beaten  in  appearance,  and  cranky  and  rheumatic  gen- 
erally. 

When  it  stormed,  and  the  wind  swept  in  gusts  off 
the  lake  the  old  house  shook;  its  doors,  and  windows 
rattled,  while  "Old  Nick"^as  Mr.  Beetlebrow  was 
familiarly  called — sat  in  a  corner  of  the  brown  painted 
kitchen,  poked  the  fire,  shoved  in  the  coal,  grumbled 
at  the  weather  and  exhibited  a  chronic  dissatisfaction 
with  everything. 

As  every  community  has  among  its  individual 
members,  odd  and  eccentric  specimens  ot  the  genus 
homo,  so  the  peculiarities  of  Mr.  Beetlebrow  had  classed 
him  among  island  novelties.  Grumbling  was  his 
specialty.  He  grumbled  at  the  heat,  the  cold,  the 
rain,  the  sunshine.  In  fair  weather  and  in  foul  his 
tongue  seemed  constantly  shaping  new  forms  of  ex- 
pression for  new  grievances.     There  was  always  some- 


EVERYTHING  WRONG. 

thing  V.  rong.  Wherever  he  looked,  he  beheld  germs 
of  evil  5.,/roiiting,  blossoming,  and  running  up  to  seed. 
In  the  sun  and  moon  he  read  all  sorts  of  evil  omens, 
while  disaster  and  ruin  blazed  in  the  shooting  stars  of 
the  midnight  sky.  So  long  and  so  persistently  had  he 
grumbled,  and  so  fixed  had  become  the  grumbling 
habit,  that  to  have  broken  off  suddenly  would  have 
proven,  doubtless,  as  calamitous  to  Mr.  Beetlebrow,  as 
total  abstinence  to  the  "arsenic  eaters"  of  the  Tyrol. 

So  constantly  had  he  kept  the  corners  of  his  mouth 
drawn  down  and  his  brow  contracted  that  they  had  so 
grown,  apparently;  and  the  stereotyped  expression  of 
his  face  reminded  one  of  a  foggy  morning  in  the  month 
of  March. 

Betsy  Beetlebrow,  the  wife  of  our  hero,  was  the 
direct  antipode  of  her  "liege  lord."  Her  sanguine 
temperament  never  permitted  her  to  court  the  dampness 
and  gloom  of  melancholy.  She  took  the  world,  and 
the  people  and  things  in  it  just  about  as  she  found 
them,  never  borrowed  trouble  and  appeared  always 
the  personification  of  easy,  good  nature.  Increasing 
years  had  rounded  to  fullness  the  matronly  form,  but 
the  rose  flush  of  youth  still  dyed  her  plump  cheeks, 
while  a  suspicion  of  mischief  twinkled  in  the  grey 
eyes,  and  played  in  mirthful  curves  about  her  mouth. 

"Spring  sunshine  linked  to  a  November  snow 
squall" — was  Aunt  Polly  Jones'  comment  on, this 
strangely  matched  couple. 

It  was  nearing  the  close  of  winter.  Spring  had  al- 
ready come,  in  fact;  and  following  the  ordinary  course 
of  nature,  blue  birds  and  robins  should  have  been  har- 
monizing their  songs  in  the  tree-tops;  and  blue-bells, 


!      ;i 

y 


I 

{  I 


r:\ 


i.'il 


240 


EVERY  THLXG  WRONG. 


:t     i 


v! ! 


and  "bare-foot  blows,"  opening;  in  sheltered  glades. 
But  the  tardy  songsters  still  lingered  among  the  orange 
groves  of  the  sunny  South,  while  the  blue-bells  and 
"bare-foot  blows"  were  still  in  embryo.  There  were 
circles  of  bare  ground  about  the  orchard  trees,  and  the 
knolls  showed  many  bald  spots.  Aside  from  these,  the 
ground  was  still  covered  with  snow  and  ice.  A  line 
of  drifts  appeared  on  the  east  side  of  Mr.  l^eetlebrow's 
dwelling,  and  since  the  preceding  December  had  been 
an  eyesore  to  that  gentleman.  At  present,  these  snow 
hills  were  covered  with  sooty  siftings  from  the 
chimney  top,  shakings  of  the  table  cloth  and  dribbings 
of  dish  water.  The  ice  in  the  lake  was  still  solid  and 
the  winds  sweeping  across  it  biting  cold. 

Mr.  Beetlebrow  sat  in  his  accustomed  corner.  His 
brow  wrinkled  and  the  corner  curves  of  his  mouth  ap- 
peared more  decided  than  usual.  He  was  cogitating, 
evidently,  upon  some  absorbing  topic,  for  he  stared 
hard  at  the  Hre  and  from  his  pursed  up  lips  came  in- 
articulate mutterings  addressed,  supposititiously,  to 
some  offending  object  that  intruded  upon  his  imagi- 
nation. 

Betsy  Beetlebrow  was  mixing  pie  crust  at  the 
kitchen  table.  Her  sleeves  were  rolled  to  the  elbows, 
and  as  she  kneaded  up  the  dough  sang  a  lively  ditty. 

*.*Betsy,  I  don't  see  how  you  can  go  round  singing, 
and  laffin'  and  carryin'  on  when  everything's  to  pay," 
exclaimed  Mr.  Beetlebrow. 

"Why,  what's  to  pay  now,  Daddy?'*  enquired  she, 
flourishing  the  rolling  pin  over  a  lump  of  dough. 

"What  a'int  to  pay,  you'd  better  ask,"  retorted  he. 


EVERVTH/XC  WRO\G. 


841 


she, 


"Tne  kentry  is  j(oin'  to  the  doj(s  jist  .is  fast  as  it  kin ; 
I'spose  we'll  have  to  <(o  to  the  do^s  with  it.'* 

"All  you  kin  read  about,  or  hear  tell  of,  is  d\nam- 
iters,  strikers,  political  plotters,  snow-slides,  mine 
horrors,  railroad  smash  ups,  wars,  and  rumors  of  wars 
and  everything  by  the  ears  ginaly." 

"Between  the  Klondike  and  the  Spaniards  every- 
body is  goin'  crazy  as  loons;  and  now  that  grape 
raisin  don't  pay  any  more,  I  wish  that  some  of  them 
fellers  what  blew  up  the  Maine  'ud  touch  off  a  torpedo 
underneath  this  island,  and  blow  it  into  kmgdom 
come." 

"Well,"  replied  Betsy  thoughtfully  greasing  her  pie 
tins.     "It  might  be  a  good  plan." 

Mr.  Beetlebrow  sat  silent. 

"Daddy,  1  wish  you'd  put  a  little  more  coal  in  the 
stove,"  said  Betsy  turning  about. 

"Yis,  that  makes  me  think,  I've  got  to  go  over  to 
the  mainland  for  a  load  of  coal  in  a  day  or  two.  The 
bin's  most  empty.  If  it  had'ent  been  for  havin'  sech  a 
raven'us  coal-eater  of  a  stove,  we'd  had  enough  to 
keep  us  goin'  till  the  boat  run;  but  that's  jest  my  luck;" 
and  Mr.  Beetlebrow  rattled  the  stove  as  if  angry  at  the 
amount  of  fuel  it  had  consumed. 

"I'll  have  to  be  on  the  ice  all  day,  goin'  and  comin' 
with  that  pesky  boss;  an'  I'd  jest  about  as  soon  think 
of  hitchin'  up  a  rantin  buffalo." 

"I  wish  old  Jake  Flutterbudget  had  his  boss  agin, 
and*  I  had  my  fifty  dollars  back.  I  never  see  a  meaner 
boss  than  old  Ripsnorter." 

"What  makes  you  call  the  animile  such  a  hard 
name,  Daddy  ?"  queried  his  wife. 


^^i 


i 

vi 

i  .1 


!      .1 


■;:l 


'  ■■^'. 


242 


EVERYTHING  WRONG. 


"*Cause  I  can't  think  of  any  that  fits  him  better. 
I've  sized  up  all  the  names,  from  Noah  down  to  the 
present  gineration,  and  I  can't  light  on  anything  that 
suits  him  better  than  that.  You  jest  ought  to  see  the 
hay  he  mows  away;  and  he  kin  demolish  as  much  corn 
in  a  week  as  it  'ud  take  to  fatten  a  whole  sty  full  of 
hogs,  'n  still  he's  so  thin  you  kin  most  see  daylight 
through  him.  I  expect  if  I  should  lean  him  up  agin 
the  fence  the  crows  'ud  take  him  for  a  carrion  carcase 
and  go  pickin'  him  to  pieces.  Then  of  all  the  mulish? 
contrary  creeturs  in  the  shape  of  boss  flesh,  Ripsnorter 
takes  the  cake. 

"Yis,  and  he  has  an  off  ul  temper — shows  the  whites 
of  his  eyes,  and  he's  got  soused  to  the  layin'  of  his 
ears  back,  that  'pears  as  if  the}^'d  growed  that  way. 
This  mornin'  when  I  was  puttin'  hay  in  the  manger, 
the  old  dragon  reached  over  and  grabbed  my  arm  be- 
tween his  teeth.  Glory  !  I  thought  a  crocodile  had 
grabbed  me.  With  my  other  hand  I  fetched  the  fork 
handle  'round,  and  he  concluded  to  let  go.  I  com- 
menced to  lam  him  with  the  fork,  and  would  have 
taken  the  hide  clean  off  of  him,  but  happened  to  think 
that  the  handle  was  splintered,  and  shaky  like.  No,  I 
don't  know  any  name  that  suits  him  better  than  jest 
Ripsnorter." 

"You  ought  to  call  him  some  of  them  tony  names, 

like  'Goldsmith  Maid'  or " 

"Why,  he's  a  boss;  you  don't  want  to  give  him  a 
female  name,  Betsy  !" 

"Well,  then,  call  him  after  some  of  the  presidents — 
George  Washington,  James  Garfield,  Grover  Cleve- 
land  " 


EVERYTHING  WRONG. 


243 


"Grover  Clev^eland  !"  vociferated  Mr.  Beetlebrow. 
"Betsy,  I'd  jist  as  soon  think  o'  namin'  that  hoss  Beel- 
zebub as  namin'  him  after  a  dimycrat  president,  and 
you  know  it.  If  I  could  git  along  without  the  hoss,  I'd 
hire  somebody  to  shoot  him,  and  then  he  wouldn't  need 
no  name." 

In  justice  to  Mr.  Beetlebrow,  it  must  here  be  re- 
marked that  the  worst  part  of  his  nature,  the  surface, 
alwaj's  boiled  over  and  sizzled  away  in  highly  seasoned 
language,  and  that  he  was  never  known  to  do  anything 
half  as  savage  as  his  words  indicated. 

"If  you  had  him  shot,  what  would  you  do  for  a 
carriage  horse  ?" 

"I  guess  we  don't  want  no  kerridge  hoss  when  we 
hain't  got  no  kerridge,"  replied  Beetlebrow,  savagely. 
"Betsy,  I  don't  see  why  you  allers  will  make  light  of 
serious  matters.  I  b'leeve  if  we  wus  goin'  to  be  turned 
out  of  house  an'  home  3'Ou'd  want  to  celebrate  the 
occasion  with  a  dance  or  frolic  of  some  kind. 

"Thare  ain't  no  tellin';  we  may  find  ourselves  in 
that  fix  yit,  and  it's  the  worst  of  all  my  trouble.  That's 
what  I  commenced  to  talk  about,  then  we  got  switched 
off  onto  the  hoss  question. 

"You  know  that  two  hundred  dollar  mortgage  I 
gave  Jerry  Johnston  on  the  place  ?  Well,  I  thought  it 
wasn't  due  till  the  last  of  May,  but  come  to  look  at  the 
papers  I  find  it  due  day  after  tomorrow,  and  I  hain't 
got  twenty  dollars  to  spare  toward  it.  So  I  wouldn't 
wonder  if  we'd  be  booked  for  the  poorhouse  afore 
another  winter." 

"Maybe  we  can  borrow  money  to  pay  off  the  mort- 
gage,   Daddy,"   returned    his   wife.     "Then  you  will 


K    f 


'f  !  II 


'  t- 

■"r 

A 


244 


EVERYTHING  WRONG, 


■■\ 


i 


\\   is 


have  fishing  to  fall  back  on,  besides  raising  vegetables 
to  keep  up  the  house,  and  all  the  other  crops.  Spite 
of  the  late  cold  snap,  the  peaches  didn't  get  killed, 
3'ou  know." 

"They  ain't  killed,  no;  but  the  bugs,  and  the  blight, 
and  the  San  Jose  scale  will  clean  'em  all  out,  of  course. 
No,  it  ain't  no  use  talkin';  we  mrgl/  as  well  slip  our 
cables  and  lay  our  course  for  the  happy  land  o'  Canaan* 
the  hull  raft  on  us,  as  to  lay  still  expectin'  any  good  to 
come  out  of  this  Jericho.  This  world  is  nothin'  but  a 
howHn'  wilderness  of  woe  and  a  valley  of  tribulation. 
It's  all  bottomside  up  and  inside  out,  and  nobody  as  has 
as  much  sense  as  a  last  year's  bird's  nest  will  take  any 
stock  in  it." 

"If  Molly  w^asn't  so  bent  and  determined  on  makin' 
a  fool  of  herself,"  continued  Beetlebrow,  "she'd  ship 
that  lamber  legged  lumpkins  that's  runnin'  after  her 
and  take  Fritzhannes,  that  rich  Pennsylvania  farmer* 
He's  got  two  or  three  big  farms,  and  hull  droves  of 
cattle,  bosses,  sheep  and  hogs,  and  any  amount  of  ready 
chink,  they  say.  He  could  make  her  a  first- rate  home, 
and  maybe  help  us  with  the  mortgage." 

"Well,  but  Fritzhannes  is  old  enough  to  be  Molly's 
father;  then  he's  so  awfully  Dutch.  He's  lived  so  long 
among  the  Berks  county  hills  that  1  don't  believe  he 
could  ever  learn  to  talk  English  so  that  Molly  could 
understand  him." 

"Women  must  always  have  their  say,  and  their 
way,"  grumbled  Beetlebrow ;  "but  I  tl  'nk  a  gal  a  fool 
to  let  a  fortune  slip  through  her  fingers  all  for  the  sake 
of  a  young  coxcomb  who  ain't  worth  the  powder  to 
blow  him  up." 


EVERYTHING  WRONG. 


245 


'*That's  what  my  father  thought  when  I  had  a 
chance  to  marry  that  wealthy  old  merchant  and  took 
you  instead,"  returned  Betsy. 

Mr.  Beetlebrow  winced  perceptibly,  and  his  wife 
continued : 

"I  think  Wilbur  Wilson  a  real  nice  young  man,  and 
if  I  was  a  young  woman  I  don't  know  but  I'd  go  for 
him  myself.  He's  sober,  honest,  works  hard  and  puts 
by  his  earnings,  they  say.  If  a  gal  is  fool  enough  to 
git  married,  she'd  better  take  a  young  man  like  that 
than  a  great,  greasy  old  fellow  like  Fritzhannes,  even  if 
he  is  made  of  gold.  You  know  what  the  Bible  says 
about  worshipin'  golden  calves  ?  Ot  course  Mr.  Fritz- 
hannes is  too  big  for  a  calf,  but  to  use  a  figger  of 
sp   ^ch " 

At  this  moment  Molly  Beetlebrow,  the  subject  of 
these  remarks,  appeared  upon  the  scene,  having  just 
returned  from  a  neighboring  house,  where  she  had 
spent  the  afternoon.  Molly  was  a  pretty,  round-faced 
girl,  with  dark  hair  and  elfish  eyes,  like  those  of  her 
mother.  She  was  merry  as  a  bird  and  bright  as  a  sun- 
beam—so thought,  at  least,  Wilbur  Wilson,  the  young 
man  who  paid  her  attention. 


CHAPTER  II. 


»» 


"Well,  I  should  think  you'd  got  your  visit  out, 
growled  Beetlebrow.     "I  didn't  know  but  what  you 
was  goin'  to  stay  all  night." 

"Why,  what's  the  difference  if  I  did  stay.  Daddy.'*" 
queried  the  girl.     "I'm  sure  I  had  my  work  with  me; 


>» 


m 

Mm. 


H:       pJL;!^' 


f' ll 


iiitil 


246 


EVERYTHING  WRONG. 


and  she  took  from  her  pocket  a  roll  of  lace  upon  which 
she  was  knitting  and  sat  down  by  the  fire. 

"If  you  call  that  work,  then  I'd  like  to  know  what 
you  call  play.  When  I  was  young,  gals  used  to  knit 
stockings  and  mittens,  and  things  that  was  some  ac- 
count; they  didn't  have  time  for  such  tomfoolery." 

"Well,  I  can  knit  stockings,  and  mittens,  too,  and 
make  lace  besides;  so  I'm  that  much  ahead  of  those 
old-fashioned  girls,"  replied  Molly. 

"Oh,  yis;  gals  air  a  heap  smarter  nowadays,  'spe- 
cially with  their  tongues,"  retorted  Beetlebrow. 

With  a  smile  of  amusement  Molly  continued  her 
work.  She  was  too  accustomed  to  her  querulous  old 
father  to  feel  annoyed.  Presently  she  began  studying 
the  figures  amidst  the  glowing  coals  of  the  grate,  then 
she  stole  a  look  at  her  father. 

"Daddy,"  she  began  after  some  hesitation :  "Wil- 
bur Wilson  is  going  to  the  main-shore  to-morrow,  and 
he  said  I  should  ask  if  there  was  anything  you  wanted 
to  send  for." 

"O,  I'spose  you've  been  off  sparkin'  up  the  young 
shanghi." 

I  only  met  him  on  the  road  when  I  was  coming 
from  Spencer's,"  answered  Molly  with  a  blush. 

"No,  I  can  be  my  own  waiter  yet  awhile,"  replied 
the  old  man. 

"I'm  a'goin'  to  the  mainland  myself  to-morrow,  and 
I  can  do  my  own  errands.  A  purty  accomodatin'  set 
these  young  fellers  are,  if  they  happen  to  hev  an  axe  to 
grind."  Mr.  Beetlebrow  shut  the  door  with  a  bang, 
and  walked  away  toward  the  barn  muttering  to  himself. 

The  following  morning  when  the  sun  arose,  illumin- 


EVERYTHING  WRONG. 


I4n 


spe- 


'Wil- 


min- 


ating  with  flash  and  glitter  the  frozen  lake,  Nicholas 
Beetlebrow  with  horse  and  sled  was  heading  toward 
the  blue  line  of  the  peninsula  some  miles  distant. 
Long  before  day,  Betsy  and  her  daughter  had  been 
bustling  in  and  out.  While  Molly  prepared  breakfast, 
her  mother  busied  herself  putting  up  lunch  for  "Dad- 
dy," packing  some  butter  for  market,  and  attending  to 
various  duties. 

Having  let  loose  a  whole  swarm  of  doubts,  and 
misgivings  concerning  the  weather  and  the  ice,  Beetle- 
brow  took  his  departure.  His  wife  and  daughter 
looked  after  him  until  a  point  of  land  hid  him  from 
view.  Betsy  felt  just  the  least  bit  anxious,  and  won- 
dered if  there  was  any  danger  of  the  ice  breaking  up 
before  "Daddy"  returned — for  she  was  just  as  fond  of 
this  wry-faced,  curumdgeon  of  a  husband  as  are  other 
women  of  husbands  who  are  good  looking,  and  good 
natured. 

The  day  wore  on,  evening  came,  and  Mrs.  Beetle- 
brow  and  her  daughter  were  beginning  to  feel  alarmed 
at  the  long  absence  of  the  husband  and  father,  when 
they  saw  him  approaching  afoot,  and  alone. 

"Why,  Daddy,  what's  the  matter,  and  where  is 
the  horse,  and  sled?" 

"In  Davy  Jones'  locker — least  ways  the  boss  is." 

"O,  I  hope  the  poor  horse  hasn't  got  into  the  lake!'* 
exclaimed  Molly. 

"Well,  I  didn't  see  him  go  in,  but  he  run  off,  and 
the  last  I  see  of  him  he  was  streakin'  it  round  Birch 
Pint,  goin'  right  fer  a  stretch  of  open  water,  and  I 
expect  he's  in  by  this  time." 

Maybe  he'  gone  ashore  on  the  point — "  suggested 


'ia 


V\ 


mmm 


248 


£  VER  VTHING  WRONG. 


Betsy  feeling  relieved  that  the  animal  was  not  known 
to  be  positively  drowned. 

"No,  Ripsnorter  is  too  tarnal  contrary  fer  that. 
He'd  go  and  dump  hisself  in  jest  fer  spite.  I  don't 
cackerlate  on  ever  seein'  him  agin." 

"How  did  he  happen  to  get  away;"  queried  Betsy. 

"Well  you  see  when  I  was  jest  about  a  mile  off  Birch 
Pin%  the  hoss  took  one  of  his  streaks  o'  cussedness. 
He  wanted  to  turn  in  on  the  pint  instead  of  comin' 
home.  When  I  tried  to  touch  him  up  a  little,  he  stop- 
ped short,  and  there  he  stood,  and  do  you  think  1  could 
budge  him  out  of  his  tracks.  I  labored  with  him  fer 
about  half  an  hour  tryin'  to  persuade  him  to  move  on> 
but  he  wouldn't,  then  I  commenced  to  lam  him  with 
the  ends  of  the  lines — course  I  hadn't  the  shadder  of 
a  whip  along,  or  even  a  strap.  The  lines  wus  short, 
and  I  had  to  git  purty  close  to  him,  and  fust  thing  I 
knew,  the  pesky  creetur's  heels  flew  up,  and  he  blazed 
away  like  a  hull  charge  of  Roman  candles.  He  didn't 
hit  me  square,  or  I  'spose  I'd  a  got  my  everlastin' Jack. 
He  knocked  my  hat  off  though,  and  knocked  me  down. 
I  felt  a  good  deal  stunned,  but  scrabbled  to  my  feet 
agin.  Jest  as  this  was  happenin'  Nap  Davis  come 
along.  He  said  he  felt  awfully  sorry  fer  me,  but  I 
don't  'bleve  it  'cause  he  was  laffin'  all  the  time.  He 
said  if  he  had  sech  a  hoss,  he'd  tan  his  hide,  and  sell  the 
carcase  to  a  glue  factory;  then  he  passed  by  on  the 
other  side — like  the  priest,  and  the  Levite — and  left 
me  in  the  lurch." 

"Well,  I  didn't  know  what  to  do,  so  I  set  down  to 
think.  While  I  wus  thinkin',  and  contrivin'  that  there 
Wilbur  Wilson  drove  up.     He  had  a  long  whip,  so  I 


;:;;::! 


EVERYTIilXG  WRONG. 


249 


borried  it  and  played  it  over  old  Ripsnorter's  shanks 
awhile.  But  it  wasn't  no  use,  the  old  humbug  jest 
stood  there  and  laved  back  his  ears,  and  kicked  till  you 
could  see  blue  blazes.  Then  that  Wilson  chap  said  I'd 
better  onhitch  him  and  he'd  fasten  the  sled  onto  his'n, 
and  we'd  lead  the  boss  home.  While  I  was  standin' 
by  old  Ripsnorter  after  he  was  onhitched,  a  gust  of 
wind  took  away  my  hat.  I  thought  the  old  snipe 
would  stand  till  I  got  it  agin,  'cause  he  didn't  want  to 
go  anyhow,  but  he  happened  to  find  out  that  I  wanted 
him  to  stand  still,  so  he  jest  gave  a  snort,  threw  his 
heels  into  the  air,  and  off  he  went  on  full  gallop.  I  was 
lame  from  the  rheumatiz  and  kick  together,  so  Wilson 
said  I  should  drive  his  team  home,  and  he'd  go  and 
look  fer  Ripsnorter.  So  he  started;  but  the  boss  was 
headin'  fer  open  water  md  I  know  that'll  be  the  end 
of  him." 

"Mavbe  he's  jjone  and  committed  suicide  by  drown- 
ing 'cause  you  said  such  hard  things  about  him  yester- 
day." 

"There  'tis  agin,  Betsy,  you're  allers  pokin'  fun  in- 
stead of  sympathisin'  with  my  sorrows  and  troubles.  I 
bleve  if  I  was  dead,  and  lyin'  in  my  coffin  you'd  poke 
fun  at  me.  There's  the  boss  gone,  and  the  mortgage 
hangin'  over  our  heads — that's  $250.  worth  of  trouble 
— and  still  you  talk  as  if  it  wus  all  a  good  joke." 

"O  well,  the  horse  wasn't  good  for  anything  3^ou 
know.  Daddy,  only  to  keep  hay,  and  corn  from  spoil- 
ing," returned  Betsy  provokingly. 

Nicholas  Beetlebrow  was  utterly  inconsolable  that 
night.     After  supper  was  over,  the  dishes  washed  and 


;•  I 
■  'i 


ii  m 


m 


m 


w\ 


U'< 


!  . 


250 


EVERYTHING  WRONG. 


put  away  in  the  big,  red  cupboard,  Betsy  took  from 
her  bureau  drawer  a  small  box.     Said  she: 

•*Daddy,  I've  got  a  little  present  for  you,  I  was  going 
to  keep  it  till  to-morrow  but  1  guess  I'll  let  you  have 
it  to  sleep  on  to  night." 

"One  of  them  blasted  monkeys,  or  baboons  what 
jump  up  and  scare  folks,  I'll  bet,"  said  Beetlebrovv  tak- 
ing the  box  and  eyeing  it  suspiciously.       Betsy  smiled. 

"It  would  be  jest  like  one  of  your  aggravatin' 
tricks."  He  proceeded  very  cautiously  to  open  the 
box.  To  his  astonishment  he  discovered  within,  a 
nest  full  of  shining  coins,  all  ten  dollar  gold  pieces. 

"Jerusalem!   where  did  you  get  this?"  exclaimed 

Beetlebrow. 

"Count  it,  and  see  how  much  there  is." 

"Just  $200."  replied  he,  thinking  of  the  mortgage — 

"but  where  did  you  get  it?" 

"Well,  Daddy,  I'll  tell  you,"  replied  his  wife,  "you 
know  that  I  have  had  all  the  butter  and  it^^  money  for 
the  past  four  years.  V/ell,  I  was  real  saving  because 
I  knew  that  you  was  hard  up.  So  1  put  away  in  small 
bits  all  except  what  I  needed  to  buy  calico  dresses, 
aprons,  thread  and  things,  and  when  1  got  a  lot  of 
small  pieces  I  had  them  changed  into  eagles  and  laid 
them  away  in  this  box.  So  there  is  $200  to  clear  off 
the  mortgage,  then  I  have  fifteen  dollars  left,  that's 
going  to  be  the  nest  ^gg  for  anothei  brood  of  golden 
eagles." 

"Glory  Hallelujah !  "  vociferated  Beetlebrow. 
'Betsy,  if  you  aint  a  woman  that's   worth  havin' 


(( 


now ! " 


! 


avin 


EVERYTHING  WRONG, 


251 


At  that  moment  a  sound  of  footsteps  and  a  scrap- 
ing of  boots  was  heard  outside  and  Molly  became  sud- 
denly flushed  while  she  took  a  hasty  peep  into  the 
glass  to  see  if  her  bangs  were  all  right, 

"Come  in,"  said  Beetlebrow,  in  answer  to  a  modest 
knock.     The  door  opened  and  Wilbur  Wilson  entered. 

"I  have  brought  home  your  horse  and  sled,  Mr. 
Beetlebrow,"  said  the  young  man,  after  bowing  to 
Molly  and  her  --mother. 

"Then  you  found  the  boss?  " 

"Yes,  1  found  him  with  the  man  you  bought  him  of 
a  <'^ew  weeks  ago  on  Birch  Point." 

"Oh,  I  'spose  that's  why  he  was  so  alfired  anxious 
to  go  in  that  direction,  he  wanted  to  see  his  old  home. 
Well,  I  don't  know  as  I  kin  blame  him  much.  You 
brought  the  sled  home  too,  did  you?" 

"Yes,  sir;  I  left  the  sled  by  the  wagon  shed,  and 
put  the  horse  in  the  barn." 

"By  jocks,  young  man,  you're  as  much  help  as  a 
second  pair  of  legs.  You're  a  tip-top  feller  after  all, 
and  I  don't  know  but  you'll  answer  about  as  well  for 
Molly  as  that  old  cub  from  Pennsylvany." 

"O,  father!  "  exclaimed  Molly,  her  cheeks  growing 
red  as  June  roses. 

"What's  the  use  beatin'  round  the  bush,"  continued 
the  old  man,  apparently  unconscious  of  the  confusion 
he  had  created. 

"Don't  you  'spose  I  kin  see  how  the  land  lays. 
You  think  a  heap  of  the  young  man  and  he  thinks  a 
heap  of  you,  or  else  he  would't  go  to  so  much  bother 
to  get  on  the  right  side  of  the  old  man." 


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EVERYTIIIXG  IVKONG. 


Turning  to  Wilbur  he  said:      "Look  here,  would 
you  like  to  marry  my  girl?  " 

The  young  man  blushed  to  the  roots  of  his  hair. 

"I — I  don't  know  if — if — whether  she  wants  me." 

"O,  then  you  haint  come  to  an  understandin'?" 

"Would  you  marry  her  if  you  could  get  her?" 
continued  Heetlebrow,  pursuing  his  investigations. 

Wilbur  was  reduced  to  the  extremity  of  dispair. 
Had  he  been  a  mouse  he  might  have  crept  through  a 
knot  hole  in  the  floor  upon  which  his  eyes  were  resting, 
but  as  n  b:oad  shoulderfd  30ung  m.m  standing  six  feet 
in  his  rubber  boots,  the  undertaking  would  have  been  im- 
practicable. For  some  time  he  had  thought  of  popping 
the  question  to  Molly,  but  had  never  dreamed  of  having 
it  popped  to  him.  Forced  to  look  the  matter  squarely 
in  the  face,  Wilbur  rallied  his  fleeing  wits,  and  muster- 
ing all  his  courage,  replied  with  a  show  of  firmness — 

"I  think  more  of  iMolly  than  of  any  one  else,  and  if 
she  likes  me  well  enough  to  have  me,  I  will  marry  her." 

"That's  business,"  commented  Beetlebrow. 

"Now  Molly,  how  is  it,  will  you  have  the  young 
man?" 

Molly  looked  straight  down  at  her  feet,  nervously 
fumbling  the  hem  of  her  apron;  covertly,  but  eagerly 
watched  by  Wilbur  Wilson. 

"Come,  speak  out,"  urged  Beetlebrow. 

"Molly's  lips  shaped  an  inaudible  "yes"  and  she 
nodded  an  aflirmative. 

"All  right  then;  its  settled,"  exxlaimed  Beetlebrow. 

"Now  Betsey,"  he  said,  turning  to  his  wife,  "I've 
given  Molly  leave  to  make  a  fool  of  herself  the  same  as 


EVERVTH/XG  IVROXG. 


253 


?'l; 


you  did  when  you  married  your  old  crank  of  a  husband, 
and  I'm  ^lad  you  did  make  a  fool  of  yourself."  Thus 
sayinj(  he  kissed  her. 

"Well,  Daddy, you  generally  complain  about  every 
thing  being  wrong,  but  I'm  glad  you've  found  some- 
thing that's  right  at  last,"  and  she  kissed  him  back. 

So  the  mortgage  was  paid  off  and  the  wedding  was 
set  for  the  following  June. 


i  ra 


M 


hjf 


fi 


^4.. 


ADVENTURES 


Si 


'1 


\l 


In  Queen  Vic's  Domains. 

An  occasion  of  pleasing  memory  was  the  writer's 
first  visit  to  Point  au  Pelee  island  some  years  ago, 
with  a  party  of  friends  on  board  a  small  sail  craft. 

For  two  reasons  this  island  was  of  especial  interest 
to  me.  First,  owing  to  its  distinction  as  the  largest  of 
the  Lake  Erie  group;  and  second,  because  of  its  po- 
sition as  an  outpost  on  British  territorial  boundaries. 

It  was  my  first  cruise  under  canvas.  A  head  wind 
whipped  us  soundly,  and  though  long  and  tedious,  the 
tacks  which  the  little  vessel  made  were  lively,  so  ren- 
dered by  her  pitching  and  rolling. 

The  wind  too,  made  music,  singing  and  whistling 
through  the  rigging.  This,  with  the  creak  of  blocks 
and  strain  of  cordage,  and  the  swash  of  waves  under 
our  weather  bow,  afforded  exhilarating  interest. 

But  one  incident  occurred  to  startle,  and  destroyed 
for  a  moment  our  pleasurable  emotions.  The  occasion 
was  the  giving  way  .  of  a  block  at  the  mainmast  head? 
causing  a  sudden  collapse  of  the  mainsail  and  a  corres- 
ponding commotion  on  deck. 

The  big  black  section  of  canvas  loaded  with  tarry 
sheets,  booms,  and  tackle,  and  wet  with  surf  suddenly 
descending,  buried  us  beneath  its  heavy  folds.  An 
ancient  mariner  a-doze,  with  head  upon  a  pile  of  junki 


f^n 


■1    r 


u 


A  D  VEXTURES IX  QUE  EX  I VCS  DOAfAIXS.      25.- 

narrrovvly  escaped  havinj^  his  perceptive  faculties 
knocked  out.  When  at  last  we  succeeded  in  extricat- 
ing ourselves  from  the  promiscuous  pile,  the  Mohican, 
our  restive  craft,  was  tossin<^  in  the  trough  of  the  sea 
— the  steersman  having  m  his  excitement  let  go  the  til- 
ler. Sail  and  tackle  were  dragging  over  the  side,  her 
starboard  rail  lay  on  a  level  with  the  water  and  spray 
showered  freely  over  us. 

For  a  moment  we  imaLjined  ourselves  j^oing 
Straight  to  "Davy  Jones"  locker,"  and  one  or  two  of 
our  lady  passengers  were  almost  frightened  into  hys- 
terics. Fortunately  "IM'ddle  Island"  was  near  at 
hand  and  the  Mohican's  crew  worked  her  under  the 
lee  and  finally  ashore,   where  repairs   were  made. 

Here  we  first  set  foot  upon  Queen  Victoria's  do- 
mains the  island  lying  within  the  dominion  waters. 
We  visited  the  lighthouse  and  were  entertained  at  the 
dwelling  of  the  keeper. 

Twilight  shadows  were  thickly  falling  over  the  dark 
forests  of  Point  au  Pelee,  when  at  last  the  Mohican 
made  fast  her  lines  at  the  old  "south  dock."  The  party 
were  received  and  entertained  beneath  the  hospitable 
roof  of  friends,  and  wearied  from  tossing  on  the  billows 
and  the  nausea  it  had  occasioned,  we  were  early  to  bed. 
But  the  Pelee  mosquito;  we  had  been  informed  con- 
cerning this  island  specialty.  To  learn  that  said  insect, 
or  animal,  cracked  hickory  nuts  with  its  teeth,  and 
that  many  of  them  weighed  a  pound  was  not  so  much 
of  a  surprise,  however,  as  the  onslaught  which  there  on 
the  borders  of  the  Pelee  marshlands  it  made  upon  us. 
The  night  was  "filled  with  music,"  but  the  cares  that 
infested  the  d^y  stubbornly  refused  to  "fold  their  tents." 


II 


w 

i 

ill 


T 


256       A  D  VENTURES  IN  Q  UEEN  VIC'S  DO  MA  INS. 

In  addition  to  the  mosquito  ileet,  we  were  assailed  by  a 
chorus  of  frogs,  night-hawks,  screech-owls  and  cata- 
mounts, also  on  the  warpath.  Just  how  we  got  through 
that  awful  niglit  I  hardly  know,  but  we  survived  it  at  any 
rate,  and  next  morning  after  bathing  our  bites  in  a  solu- 
tion of  j^oda,  we  started  out  to  view  the  land,  very  little 
of  which  was  visible,  however,  on  account  of  the  thick 
woods)  and  thicker  undergrowths  running  rampart  over 
tracts  of  land  which  had  once  been  clearings.  VVe  had 
taken  passage  in  a  "one  boss  shay"  affair,  the  wheels 
of  which  gave  forth  an  unearthly  screech  with  every 
turn. 

The  road  was  a  mere  wagon  track  deeply  worn 
into  parallel  ruts  close  crowded  by  trees,  and  notwith- 
standing the  evaporative  heats  of  July  weather,  the 
mud  at  some  points  was  deep  and  sticky  and  it  was 
necessary  to  keep  going  as  fast  as  conditions  would 
allow,  to  prevent  ourselves  and  nag  being  devoured  by 
mosquitoes. 

That  road — the  "rocky  road  to  Dublin"  -  wasn't  a 
circumstance  in  comparison;  its  ruts  and  roots,  holes 
and  humps  through  and  over  which  we  were  bounced 
made  memorable  the  ride. 

Wild  cats  were  common  and  herds  of  horses  were 
running  wild  through  the  woods,  just  as  in  early  days 
hogs  ran  wild  at  Put-in-Bay. 

A  remnant  of  the  red  race  still  held  a  foothold  on 
the  island,  and  by  request  we  were  introduced  to  a 
family,  representing  as  descendants  the  ancient  Mo- 
hawks. 

Black  raspberries  hanging  rich  and  ripe  were  every- 
where found  through  the  clearings,  and  a  few  denizens 


A  D  VENTURES  LX  (2  UEEX  VICS  DOM  A  INS.       257 


of  the  island  were  observed  gutheriiifr  them  by  pailsfull. 
The  sijrht  was  templintr,  and  provided  with  suitable 
receptacles,  we  started  in  to  try  our  luck.  Inexhaust- 
able  in  quantity  were  the  berries,  and  snakes  of  various 
kinds  were  also  prolific.  Black  snakes  of  immense  size 
and  length  were  especially  numerous  and  could  be  seen 
v/hisking  under  and  about  rotting  logs  and  hollow 
stumps,  or  gliding  ir^  and  out  a.r.ong  the  bushes,  caus_ 
ing  a  creepy  sensation  along  the  spinal  column;  and 
would  have  stampeded  us  all  from  the  place  undoubt- 
edly, had  we  then  known  what  we  have  since  learned, 
namely — that  the  mysterious  and  unexplored  deptns 
of  the  island's  land-locked  bays  and  inlets  are  supposed 
to  form  the  abiding  place  of  that  terrible,  but  elusive 
creature  known  as  the  "sea  serpent." 

According  to  the  statements  of  reputable  residents 
of  the  island,  two  specimens  of  this  monster  have  there 
been  seen,  one  of  which  was  declared  to  be  lOO  feet  in 
length.  On  one  occasion,  these  reptiles  ran  afoul  of  a 
fisherman's  pounds  and  chewed  up  and  destroyed  all 
the  twine,  even  pulling  up  some  of  the  stakes  to  which 
it  was  moored. 

In  harvest  time  these  big  snakes  amuse  themselves 
by  coming  ashore,  chasing  the  harvesters  from  the 
field  and  tearing  down  the  grain  shocks. 

Those  of  our  readers  who  have  been  wont  to  regard 
the  sea  serpent  as  a  mythical  creation,  should  visit  Pelee 
Island  and  get  the  testimony  of  its  inhabitants.  Know- 
ing nothing  of  these  sea  monsters,  however,  ignorance 
to  us  proved  blissful  on  the  occasion  described 

With  an  area  of  about  13,000  acres,  a  length  often 
miles  and  a  breadth  of  four,  the  island  afforded  ample 


I  .  }  -  ■f\ 


1    *,'       ■ 

■■  .^r-; 

"IH 


■v  ''-'fi 


258       A  D  VEXTURES  lA  Q  UEEX  VICS  DO  MA  INS. 


I  m 


space  in  which  stian<^ers  ini^ht  lose  themselves,  and 
we  were  careful  in  our  explorations  nol  to  get  too  far 
away  from  our  guide. 

While  thus  scouring  the  wilds  of  Pelee,  a  smart 
gale  smote  the  Mohican.  She  dragged  her  anchor^ 
drove  ashore  and  stove  a  hole  through  her  side.  The 
breach  was  repaired,  and  fearing  lest  seme  calamity 
still  more  direful  overtake  us,  we  shook  the  Pelee  dust, 
as  well  as  mud,  from  our  feet,  and  boarding  the  Mo- 
hican sailed  for  Put-in-Bay,  which  we  fortunately, 
reached  without  serious  mishap. 

A  second  trip  to  Pelee  Island  at  a  later  date  was 
taken  with  a  party  comprising  the  membership  of  a 
newspaper  correspondents'  association,  our  objective 
point  being  the  famous  Pelee  club  house  and  grounds 
at  Point  Sheridan  on  the  north  shore. 

We  took  passage  on  a  trim,  little  Sandusky  steamer, 
the  Elsa.  The  da}'  was  glorious,  the  company  choice, 
and  as  we  headed  for  the  north  pole  we  were  met  by 
a  breeze  delij^htfullv  cool. 

We  had  just  disposed  of  a  sumptuous  dinner,  or  as 
much  thereof  as  seemed  prudent,  served  on  the 
steamer's  roomy  decks,  when  the  island  was  reached, 
and  edging  carefully  along  a  precarious  looking  pier, 
her  passengers  succeeded  in  getting  ashore. 

A  short  walk  brought  us  to  the  club  house,  a 
commodious  structure;  its  olive-green  exterior  and  red 
roof  showing  advantageously  against  a  broad  hem  of 
dark  foliajjed  oaks  and  elms. 

Curiously  and  with  a  species  of  veneration  gazed 
we  upon  the  spot,  since  within  its  environments  had  as- 


or  as 

the 

iched, 

pier, 


A  D  VENTURES  IN  QUEEN  VICS  DO  MA  TNS.      250 

sembled  for  years  some  of  the  most  distinguished  men 
of  America,  such  as  Robert  T.  Lincohi,  ex-President 
Arthur,  General  Schofield,  Gen.  Phil  Sheridan,  Mar- 
shall Field,  ex-Secretary  Gresham,  Larry  Jerome  of 
New  York,  Geo.  M.  Pullman,  Anson  Stager,  Bishop 
McLaren  of  Chicago,  C.  H.  Thompkins,  Harry  Dur- 
and  of  New  York,  and  many  others  of  corresponding 
prominence. 

The  club  corporation,  we  were  told,  represented 
somewhere  between  $So,ooo,ooo  and  $100,000,000  and 
its  appointments  were  all  that  might  be  expected — 
elegance  and  luxury  everywhere,  combining  with  com- 
fort and  convenience  to  render  the  place  an  ideal  resort* 

Each  club  member  had  placed  at  his  disposal  a 
servant  to  do  his  bidding,  with  a  corps  of  oar? men  and 
lackeys  awaiting  orders. 

These  representative  men  of  brains  and  capital  have 
been  accustomed  to  meet  semi-annually  at  their  chosen 
rendezvous  to  fish  for  black  bass  —Canadian  waters 
being  more  prolific  in  this  game  fish  than  those  of  the 
States.  However,  the  recent  restrictions  placed  by 
the  Canadian  government  on  bass  and  other  fishing, 
have  now  curtailed  to  some  extent  the  enjoyment  here 
afforded  adepts  of  the  rod  and  reel. 

A  large  enterprise  concerning  which  the  Pelee  is- 
lander talked  volubl}',  w.is  the  successful  drainage  of 
the  great  Pelee  marsh  consisting  of  about  5000  acres. 
This  extensive  marsh  was  literally  pumped  dry  by 
means  of  a  massive  steam  pump  run  by  an  eighty  horse 
power  engine.  The  land,  once  submerged  beneath 
malaria  breeding  swamp  waters,  now  annually  pro- 
duces   splendid    crops  of    wheat,    corn   and  potatoes, 


m 


n 


m 


ii 


.'   'x' 

\ 
i 

1 

i'l 


11 


260       A  D  VENTURE.  "^  IN  (2UEEN  VICS  DO  MA  INS. 

while  the  domination   of  the   mosquito   has  been  ma- 
terially curtailed. 

From  Pelee  we  sighted  the  Canadian  main,  with 
many  vessels  and  barges  cruising  in  the  "North  pass- 
age," and  after  an  hour's  sojourn  again  boarded  the 
Elsa  and  bid  farewell  to  this  very  interesting  bit  ff 
Queen  Victoria's  possessions. 

Though  no  calamity  befell  any  of  our  party  on  this 
occasion,  it  may  not  be  out  of  place  to  state  incident- 
ally that  after  a  long  voyage — taken  the  following 
year — and  a  series  of  thrilling  adventures,  the  little 
steamer  Elsa  was  lost  on  "Colorado  Reefs,"  off  the 
coast  of  South  America. 


1,     ! 


rNs, 

been  ma- 

lin,  with 
rth  pass- 
rded  the 
\(^  bit  «.f 

'  on  this 
incident- 
oUowing 
:he  little 
'  off  the 


IT 


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< 


BEAUTIFUL  BALLAST. 


UJ 

o 

X 

CO 

Q 
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< 


If) 

< 


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CO 

u. 

o 

H 
m 

< 


BALLAST  ISLAND. 


Among  the  numerous  resorts  for  summer  visitors 
and  tourists  scattered  amonj^  the  islands  of  the  archi- 
pelago, liallast  resort  holds  a  prominent  place.  The 
island  itself  is  a  romantic  bit  of  nature,  consisting  of 
picturesque  rock,  native  forest  trees  and  vineyard  and 
orchard  lands. 

Numerous  cottages,  artistically  built  and  vine  em- 
bowered, with  winding  walks  and  smooth  lawns,  adorn 
the  spot,  and  overlooking  precipitous  rocks  to  north- 
ward is  located  the  Ballast  club  house,  an  airy  structure. 
An  ample  wharf,  boat  house  and  other  improvements 
also  appear. 

"Home  of  the  Western  Canoe  Association"  is  the 
term  by  which  Ballast  island  is  best  known  to  its  pa- 


.;:i 

■  i 

i         ■  i 

! 

'l 

'■  V 

J 

V 


262 


BEAUTIFUL  BALLAST. 


11 


1 4 


trons,  iiavin((  formed  for  years  the  resort  at  which  this 
organization  has  held  its  annua.)  meets,  and  a  newly 
erected  club  house  on  the  gravelly  stretch  of  the  south 
shore  furnishes  excellent  accommodations  to  its  mem- 
bership. In  addition  to  the  club  house  of  the  canoe  as- 
sociation, the  canoer's  camp  —as  seen  during  the  sum- 
mer—  with  its  tents  of  white  and  striped  canvas,  and  its 
line  of  birchen  canoes  crowding  the  beach,  forms  a 
pretty  picture,  which  the  photographer,  camera  in  hand, 
has  not  been  slow  to  discover.  J^allast  Island  was  so 
named  in  consideration  of  the  fact  that  just  before  the 
battle  of  Lake  Erie  the  ships  of  Perry's  squadron  were 
provided  with  ballast  in  the  shape  of  stone  brought  from 
the  shoi"es  of  this  island.  Ilistor}'  does  not  locate  the 
exact  spot  where  the  gallant  commodore  obtained  his 
supply,  but  he  must  have  found  it  without  looking  far, 
as  lime  rock,  gravel  stone  and  boulders  are  there  found 
in  inexhaustable  quantity. 

The  island  contains  about  nine  acres  of  land  and  is 
owned  by  a  stock  company,  among  whom  are  ex  Mayor 
Geo.  W.  Gardner  and  Gen.  James  Barnett  of  Cleveland, 
Colonel  Bartlett  of  Fremont  and  many  other  gentlemen 
of  prominence  who,  with  their  families  and  friends, 
patronize  the  resort. 

Natuie's  rugged  w'ildness  and  art's  refining  touch 
here  combine  to  form  a  scene  most  charming. 

Notable  among  summer  cottages  may  be  mentioned 
the  Gardner  <'log  cabin,"  a  romantic  picture,  a  rustic 
poem,  from  its  old  fashioned  chimney,  furniture  and 
spinning  wheel  within,  to  the  scaly  bank  of  its  unhewn 
logs  and  ivy-clad  gables  without. 

At  this  resort  the  Cleveland  Canoe  association  was 


m 


\\t\ 


ch  this 
newly 
;  south 
mem- 
noe  as- 
t  sum- 
and  its 
jimb  a 
1  hand, 
kVas  so 
)re  the 
•n  were 
lit  from 
ate  the 
led  his 
ing  far, 
e  found 

and  is 
Mayor 
veland, 
tlemen 
riends, 

touch 

itioned 
rustic 
re  and 
nhewn 

3n  was 


BE  A  (  Tin  7.  PAIJ.AST. 


'ly'A 


THE  GARDNER   "LOG  CABIN." 

organized  nearly  twenty  years  ago,  W.  Scott  Robinson, 
of  the  Cleveland  Recorder,  and  Geo.  W.  Gardner  being 
its  chief  sustainers. 

In  18S5  invitations  were  extended  to  all  Western 
canoers  to  become  guests  of  the  Cleveland  club  at  Bal- 
last. These  invitations  were  accepted  and  from  this 
friendly  alliance  blossomed  a  new  organization  known 
as  the  Western  Canoe  association. 

An  extended  program  of  races  in  sailing  and  pad- 
dling are  arranged  for  each  season  and  prize  cups  of 
chaste  and  costly  design  are  annually  competed  for; 
each  meet  lastinjr  about  ten  davs. 

Speaking  of  canoers,  they  are  all  extravagantly 
fond  of  juFt  such  a  romantic  situation  as  this  little  island 
affords.  They  are  fend,  too,  of  brisk  breezes,  flapping 
sails  and  dashi.ig  surf.     They  worship  a  canoe  as  a 


,1 

:   ^n          \ 

; 

i- 

'  n 

}  «■ 

•  'i 

r 

1 

i 
1 

■;i 

M 


1 


mi 


264 


BEAUTIFUL  BALLAST. 


Hindoo  his  gods,  or  an  Arab  his  horse,  and  little  won- 
der, for  the  willowy  masted,  swift-winged  canoe  of 
modern  construction  is  the  prettiest  and  most  agile  thing 
ever  designed  to  float  upon  water. 

Many  of  these  canoes  are  trimmed  in  nickel  and 
silver  plating,  with  delicately  wrought  tiller  chains  and 
rudder  of  shining  nickel.  They  are  decked  with  flags 
and  pennons  of  unique  designs  and  their  furnishings  are 
novel  and  pretty. 


A  CANOE  RACE. 


The  canoe  is  an  expensive  toy  and  fit  to  grace  a 
parlor  mantel — only  that  it  is  just  a  trifle  too  big  for  this 
purpose.  Its  color  is  a  pale  birch-brown.  It  has  two 
sails,  but  is  also  propelled,  when  desired,  by  a  single 
paddle,  after  the  manner  of  aboriginal  canoers. 

The  canoer  appears  as  strikingly  picturesque  as  the 

canoe  which  he  sails,  for  his  costume  is  natty  and  novel. 

Beside  the  trophy  cups  sailed  for,  flags  are  awarded 

winners,  together  with  other  prizes,  both  pretty  and 


m 


e  won- 
noe  of 
e  thing 

:el  and 
ins  and 
h  flags 
igs  are 


i 


si 


k 


race  a 

"or  this 

IS  two 

single 


as  the 

novel. 

irarded 

;y  and 


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ii 


til 


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A  •    !l  .> 


.:«!«5l        "/ 


.";   .  '.,   ^W,» 


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'U't^fi^ 


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BE  A  UTIFUr.  BA  L  LA  S  T. 


265 


If 


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appropriate,  consislinj^  of  articles  sucli  as  silk  blankets, 
silver  soap  cases,  traveling  drinking  cups,  fishing  boxes, 
camp  lanterns,  canoe  rugs  and  other  novelties. 

The  families  and  friends  of  club  members  occupy 
the  cottages,  taking  their  meals  in  the  dining  hall.  A 
manager  is  appointed  to  furnish  supplies  and  to  look 
after  the  interests  of  the  island.  This  position  is  filled 
at  the  present  time  by  S.  M.  Johannsen. 

The  Ballast  resorter  is  a  lover  of  nature,  finding 
"sermons  in  stones  and  tongues  in  trees,"  and  beneath 
his  umbrageous  screen  of  elms,  maples,  cedars  and  syc- 
amores the  days  of  summer  speed  like  a  dream.  One 
especial  favorite  known  as  the  "umbrella,"  or  "eagle 
tree,"  contained  for  many  years  a  large  eagle's  nest. 
Within  it  every  returning  season  a  pair  of  old  eagles 
reared  their  young,  and  some  of  the  brood  were  domes- 
ticated by  the  islanders.  The  nest  and  the  eagles  have 
now  disappeared,  but  the  tree  still  remains. 

The  Ballast  patrons  are  individuals  of  quiet,  refined 
tastes,  but  unconventional  withal,  and  prefer  easy  but 
substantial  comfort  to  stiff  formality. 

They  dress  as  they  like  and  do  as  they  please, 
bathing,  boating,  dozing,  dreaming.  They  are  all 
thoroughly  in  love  with  their  preity  isle,  and  money 
would  not  tempt  them  to  part  with  it. 


i!  ■■  ^■• 


\% 


4 


MU 


''UNCLE  JIMMY/' . 


1? 


!■     ! 


The  Ballast  Island  hermit,  commonly  known  as 
»'Uncle  Jimmy"  was  a  man  with  a  history — suppositi- 
tiously  at  least — though  the  haps  and  mishaps  of  his 
career  were  never  quite  clear  to  the  public.  However, 
as  the  old  man  was  a  bachelor  and  given  to  solitude, 
observers  who  took  romantic  views  of  existence,  sur- 
mised that  a  love  affair  was  somehow  tangled  up  in  the 
web  of  his  life.  Though  averse  to  general  society, 
old  Jimmy  was  mild  tempered,  and  kindly  disposed 
toward  any  whom  he  chanced  to  meet. 

At  the  period  when  he  first  took  up  his  abode  on 
Ballast  Island,  and  for  many  years  afterward,  his 
weather  beaten  cabin  was  the  only  human  habitation 
there  existing,  save  the  shattered  remains  of  an  old 
shed  that  had  once  been  used  by  gillnetters  as  a  ren- 
dezvous. His  only  companions  were  the  proverbial 
dog  and  cat  which  found  a  snug  abiding  place  beneath 
his  roof,  and  a  horse  and  cow  sheltered  in  a  roughly 
improvised  stable.  A  portion  of  the  island  was  cleared 
land,  affording  opportunity  for  tillage  and  pasturage. 
The  remainder  formed  a  picturesque  tangle  of  Bass- 
wood  and  elm,  cedar  growths,  wild  grape  vines  and 
other  undomesticated  shrubberry.  Eagles  built  their 
nests  undisturbed  in  the  tall  trees,  and  when  the  heavens 
were  black  with  clouds  and  storms  swept  by,  mad  with 
delight  sea  gulls  screamed,  and  wildly  plunged  into  the 


(        r 


» UAXLE  jimmy:' 


267 


breakers  which  whitened  on  the  reef.  Waves  mount- 
ed the  rocky  walls  of  weather-ward  shores,  flinging 
foam  flecks  into  overhanging  boughs  and  filling 
caverned  niches  with  a  bellowing  thunder.  With 
spring  time  came  troops  of  the  scarlet-winged  black- 
bird, thrush,  and  whip-poor-will,  the  wood  was  reson- 
ant with  song,  while  the  turf  formed  a  carpet  of  wild 
wood  bloom.  Summer  unveiled  pictures  of  gold,  and 
the  trees  covered  with  abundant  foliage  cast  over  the 
cabin  roof  shadows  cool  and  deep.  The  birds  nested, 
and  short  winged  fledgelings  hopped  about  on  the 
mossy  ridge  polo  chirping  their  delight. 

With  fading  summer,  autumnal  fires  kindled  the 
maples  wntil  they  flamed  with  scarlet  and  gold. 
Sumachs  reddened  and  wild  grapes  purpled  on  the 
vines.  With  winter's  advent  the  trees  were  bared  of 
all  save  empty  nests.  Dismantled  vines  swung  listless. 
The  Canadian  blasts  swept  down  flurries  of  snow,  and 
rigid  ice  plains  glistened  where  blue  waves  had  dash- 
ed. Such  were  the  scenes  which  environed  this  soli- 
tary but  charming  retreat. 

Excepting  when  a  party  of  fishermen  or  pleasure 
seekers  beached  their  boats  upon  the  gravelled  shore, 
or  when  the  owner  came  to  look  after  the  place,  few 
changes  save  those  wrought  by  the  changing  seasons 
varied  the  monotony  of  the  hermit's  life.  Having 
voluntarily  chosen  this  mode  of  existence  however, 
Uncle  Jimmy  was  presumably  satisfied  with  his  choice, 
finding  in  solitiude  a  species  of  happiness  unattainable 
elsewhere. 

As  years  went  by  and  the  natural  attractions  of  the 
archipelago  came  to  be  more  and  more  appreciated  by 


268 


"  UNCLE  jimmy:' 


r\    :  I. 


visitors  from  abroad,  Ballast  Island  was  purchased  by 
city  capitalists.  A  club  house  and  numerous  cottages 
were  built,  and  in  a  little  while  our  hero  found  himself 
surrounded  by  gay  crowds  from  the  ^^xy  center  of  city 
life  and  fashion,  Tiiis  innovation  must  have  cost  the 
old  man  some  pangs  of  bitterness,  but  the  invaders 
were  kindly  disposed  toward  their  predecessor,  placing 
upon  him  but  few  restrictions.  Warmed  by  courteous 
treatment  the  old  man  exhibited  so  many  good  traits, 
that  he  eventually  became  a  great  favorite  among 
guests  during  their  summer  sojourn  at  the  island. 

Uncle  Jimmy  had  been  accustomed  to  procuring 
supplies,  consisting  of  provision,  wearing  apparel,  and 
notions,  in  the  shops  and  stores  of  Put-in-Bay,  rowing 
across  the  channel  in  a  small  boat  and  carrying  with 
him — by  way  of  barter  cat-fish,  which  he  had  taken  on 
his  hooks,  or  products  of  the  soil.  His  wants,  being 
few  and  simple,  were  fully  supplied  in  this  way  and 
these  trips  to  the  *'Bay"  were  said  to  have  been  his 
only  excursions.  For  years  he  had  not  set  foot  on  any 
of  the  steamers  which  constantly  plied  between  island 
and  mainland.  One  day,  however,  seized  by  some  un- 
accountable impulse,  or  driven  by  some  unusual  busi- 
ness transaction.  Uncle  Jimmy  boarded  one  ot  the  is- 
land steamers  for  Sandusky. 

Commanded  by  a  throughbred  captain  who  knew 
and  could  handle  her  as  Jeftiy  as  a  lady  handles  a  fan, 
this  staunch  steamer  had  for  years  made  her  accustom- 
ed trips  day  after  day,  had  threaded  narrow  island 
passages,  dodging  rock  and  reef,  unscathed  in  daylight 
and  darkness,  in  storm  and  calm. 

The  steamer  had  proven  thoroughly  trustworthy, 


"  UNCLE  JIMMVr 


269 


and  on  ihat  beautiful  morning  when  Uncle  Jimmy 
leaned  over  the  railing  and  gazed  upon  the  fast  reced- 
ing shores  of  Ballast  Island,  his  mind  was  as  calm 
and  unruffed  as  the  still  blue  waters,  nor  among  the 
passengers  was  there  any  premonition  of  danger.  How- 
ever, in  the  afternoon  of  that  day  peoj^le  of  the  sur- 
rounding islands  were  startled  by  a  jarring  report  which 
came  echoing  over  intervening  miles  of  water.  Men 
at  work  in  vineyard  and  orchard  paused  to  listen. 

"A  blast  in  the  limestone  quarries  of  the  peninsula" 
was  the  explanation  suggested  an  I  received,  and  the 
men  continued  their  work. 

At  Put-in  Bay  a  knot  of  men  lounged  at  the  door  of 
the  telegraph  office  while  the  instrument  clicked  off  a 
message.  The  operator  scanned  the  cablegram  re- 
ceived  and  an  excited  exclamation  burst  from  his  lips. 

*  What  is  it?"  and  the  gaping  crowd  closed  quickly 
about  him.     The  message  read  as  fellows  : 

Sandusky,  O.,  May  i8th,  i8— . 

"At   3:30   P.  M.  the  island  steamer  blew  up 

off  Kelley  Island.  Nearly  all  on  board  are  injured  or 
killed  outright." 

At  Sandusky  the  wharves  were  black  with  crowds 
of  people  when  the  wrecked  steamer  was  towed  back 
to  the  harbor  from  whence  she  had  departed  but  an 
hour  before. 

Scalded,  blistered,  disfigured  by  escaping  steam, 
the  dead  and  disabled  were  carried  ashore.  Among 
the  number  was  Uncle  Jimmy,  not  dead,  but  scalded 
almost  beyond  the  consciousness  of  pain.  All  was  done 
that  human  skill  could  do  to  kindle  anew  the  failing 
life  spark  but  to  no  purpose,  and  one  night  a  clergy- 


1,8^ 


',■1(1 1 


1j! 


■■iiti' 


?;it 


:m\. 
'i  1 


ll^ 


m 
m 


.7m 


270 


'•■'i !': 


"  UNCLE  jimmy:' 


!      I 


is  1 


■\  i 


man  summoned  to  his  bedside  administered  the  holy 
sacrament,  and  while  a  prayer  breathed  from  the  lips 
of  the  dyin^  man,  the  failing  eyes  fastened  upon  the 
crucifix,  held  before  him  and  so  remained  until  the 
light  in  them  faded — a  life  unobtrusive  yet  full  of  un- 
spoken patnos  was  ended. 

The  remains  were  conveyed  for  interment  o  the 
little  burial  ground  at  Put-in-Bay.  The  deceased  was 
without  relatives  to  attend  him  in  his  last  moments,  or 
to  direct  his  final  obsequies,  but  among  the  Balhist 
Island  summer  patrons  were  fou»)d  friends  who,  though 
representatives  of  wealth  and  social  position,  esteemed 
it  a  piivilege  lo  gather  at  the  grave  of  the  humble 
hermit,  to  scatter  choice  flowers  abou^  the  casket,  and 
to  mingle  tears  of  tenderness  and  sympathy  with  the 
earth  that  Tell  upon  ii. 

Among  these  friends  was  a  prominent  represent- 
ative of  Ballast  resort,  by  whom  a  slab  of  solid  marble 
was  afterwards  placed  above  the  mound.  Upon  it  the 
visitor  who  may  chance  to  wander  through  the  beau- 
tiful and  picturesque  island  cemetery  may  read: 


)/^ 


TO   THE    MEMORY    OF 

UNCLE  JIMMY 

OF    BALLAST    ISLAND. 
ERECTED  BY  HIS  FRIEND 


y/^ 


i 


m 


i  M 


i 


tg'.Sli 


n   ■! 


I'l  t 


I 

f  ; 

\  ]  ; 

M; 


o 

z 

< 
_J 


m 
(3 


CASTLED  GIBRALTAR  AND  ITS  LORD, 


w 


o 

z 
< 
-I 
in 

on 


< 
oc 
m 

(3 


Peculiarly  appropriate  as  applied  to  the  island  in 
question  is  the  name  Gibraltar,  since  forminjj  a  mass 
of  rugged  rock  and  poistfd  above  the  surface  of  Lake 
Erie  within  hailing  distance  of  Put-in- Bay,  it  occupies 
a  conspicuous  position  in  the  group  — its  boldness 
rendering  it  an  object  of  striking  interest. 

Gibraltar  lies  opposite  "Peach  Point,"  and  aids  in 
forming  the  placid  sheet  of  water  known  as  "Squaw 
Harbor." 

With  natural  forest  and  exhuberant  vegetation 
both  wild  and  cultivated  clothing  its  rocks  and  cover- 
ing its  whole  extent,  like  an  emerald  gem  in  a  setting 
of  blue  appears  the  island. 

In  its  quiet,  yet  picturesque  and  striking  scenery, 
Gibraltar  takes  unquestionably  the  first  place  among  the 
islands  of  the  lake  —a  fact  clearly  evident  to  its  present 
proprietor  when  about  thirty  years  ago  it  came  into 
his  possession,  and  with  the  multi-millions  at  his  com- 
mand he  set  about  fitting  it  up  as  the  ideal  summer 
abode  which  it  has  since  become.  Especially  noted 
as  the  summer  residence  of  Jay  Cooke — one  of  Ameri- 
ca's most  noted  financiers — is  Gibraltar,  and  his  stately 
villa,  crowning  castle-like  the  island's  highest  eleva- 
tion, overlooks  the  treetops,  forming  a  picturesque 
point  in  the  landscape. 


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272         CASTLED  G  FDR  ALTAR  AND  ITS  LORD. 


"PERRY'S  LOOKOUT"  AND  ''NEEDLE'S  EYE." 

All  that  wealth  and  cultured  taste  can  suggest 
combine  with  natural  attractions,  and  the  effect  is 
charming. 

The  surface  is  broken  by  rock  ledges.  Romantic 
paths  wind  in  and  out  among  trees  and  shrubbery. 
Floral  arbors,  niches  and  caverns,  natural  and  arti- 
ficial, with  rustic  huts,  bridges  and  rockeries,  appear. 
There  are  boats  and  boat  houses,  and  ample  wharves 
and  ornamental  structures  of  various  kinds  scattered 
about  the  grounds. 


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JAY  COOKE. 


Hi        '  ' 


CASTLED  GIBRALTAR  AND  ITS  LORD. 


273 


The  shore  scenery  is  marvelously  beautiful.  Es- 
pecially interesting  are  the  "Needle's  Eye"  and  the 
precipitous  bluff,  from  which  Commodore  Perry 
watched  and  waited  for  the  British  fleet.  The  latter, 
known  as  "Perry's  Lookout,"  is  capped  by  a  flagstaff, 
and  near  it  is  observed  a  fine  monumental  design  in 
sculptured  granite,  commemorating  Perry's  victory, 
together  with  an  old  cannon  used  in  this  historic  en- 
gagement. 

Probably  no  portion  of  the  visitor's  experience  at 
Put  in  Bay  is  so  dream  like  and  enchanting  as  a  row 
around  Gibraltar  when  the  harvest  moon — newly 
ri>'en — traces  its  wide  pathway  across  the  wateis, 
silvering  its  waves,  intensifying  the  shadows  among 
arched  ;md  cavrrned  rocks,  and  bringing  into  bold 
jtrominence  every  jutting  crag. 

Wierdly  while  among  huge  fallen  rocks  lie  the 
moonbeams.  They  thread  the  "Needle's  Eye,"  pen- 
etrate the  watery  cavern  at  its  base  and  silver  the 
heights  of  "Perry's  Lookout."  They  flood  the  white 
beaches  of  cloven  shore  niches  and  soften  the  rugged 
outlines  of  the  rock  masses  seamed  and  rent  by  vol- 
canic action  in  prehistoric  times.  With  a  faint  breeze 
astir,  may  be  heard  within  the  chambered  passages  far 
under  the  rocks  the  reverberations  of  breaking  swells. 
The  tree-clad  slope  of  Gibraltar  appears  sharply  out- 
lined against  the  clear  sky,  and  the  lights  in  and 
around  its  sheltered  villa  twinkle  through  the  foliage. 

Both  the  public  and  private  career  of  Jay  Cooke 
has  been  remarkable.  As  a  "Napoleon  of  finance"  he 
appears  on  record  as  having  lost  and  regained  a  for- 
tune within  the  period  of  five  years. 


ill:: 


I  ':^h 


\v\ 


274 


CASTLED  GIBRALTAR  AND  ITS  LORD. 


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VILLA  OF  JAY  COOKE-GlBRALTAR. 


During  the  war  of  the  rebellion  Jay  Cooke  figured 
more  prominently  in  the  monetar}'^  affairs  of  the 
nation,  undoubtedly,  than  any  other  man,  and  his 
skillful  financiering  for  the  government  during  its 
serious  embarrassment  were  such  as  had  never  before 
and  has  never  since  been  equalled.  He  was  intimately 
associated  in  governmental  transactions  with  Secre- 
tary Chase  of  the  United  States  treasury,  as  with  his 
successor  Secretary  Fessenden,  and  through  his 
agency  the  administrations  of  both  were  materially 
strengthened. 


CASTLED  CrnRALTAR  AND  ITS  LORD. 


27:. 


Ill 


ST.   PAUL'S   REFORMED  EPISCOPAL   CHURCH  — PUT-IN-BAY. 
I'li.ilH  l.y  Ri'v.  V.  Freil  Allen. 

Gibralliir  and  his  Philadelphia  country  seat  were 
bought  back.  Tlie  latter  valued  at  $i,ooc,ooo  and 
still  in  his  possession,  is  known  as  "Ojjfontz,"  named 
after  a  Seneca  chieftain  of  Sandusky  bay  with  whom 
Mr.  Cooke  played  when  a  child. 

The  benefactions  of  Jay  Cooke  are  many,  a  certain 
percentage  of  his  annual  income  being  systematically  set 
aside  for  reliuious  work  and  charities.  A  monument 
of  the  banker's  beneficence  along  this  line  is  seen  in 
the  Put-in-Bay  R.  E.  church  and  rectory,  built  several 
years  ago  through  his  efforts.  Large  quantities  of 
books  and  pictures  are  from  time  to  time  distributed 
b}'  him  among  members  of  the  church  and  Sunday 
school,  and  among  the  island  people  generally. 


it 

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276 


CASTLED  GIBRALTAR  AND  ITS  LORD. 


mm 


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At  one  time  when  the  government  was  sorely 
pressed  for  the  where-with-all  to  pay  its  military  rep- 
resentatives in  the  field,  the  division  known  as  the 
Army  of  the  Potomac  was  paid  off  with  money 
advanced  by  Jay  Cooke,  who  received  in  exchange 
United  States  bonds  covering  the  amount. 

Of  Mr.  Cooke  it  is  related  that  once  in  company 
with  Gen.  Bates,  Secretary  Chase  and  President  Lincoln, 
he  went  to  see  reviewed  by  Gen.  McClelland  the 
Pennsylvania  Reserve  corps,  which  to  organize  and 
equip  he  had  advanced  the  money. 

On  another  occasion  before  the  fall  of  Richmond, 
Jay  Cooke,  Jr.,  visited  Gen.  Grant.  Referring  to  Mr. 
Cooke's  many  favors  to  the  government  the  latter  ob- 
served: 

'*]  want  you  to  tell  your  father  for  me,  that  it  is  to 
him  more  than  to  any  other  man  that  the  people  of  this 
country  will  be  indebted  for  the  continued  life  of  the 
nation." 

One  of  the  great  enterprises  undertaken  by  Mr. 
Cooke  was  the  building  of  the  Northern  Pacific  rail- 
road but  before  the  work  was  fully  begun,  and  the 
$50,000,000  bonds  for  the  same  deposited  in  Europe, 
the  Franco-Prussian  war  broke  out,  and  compli- 
cations in  European  finances  arising,  forced  Mr.  Cooke 
into  bankruptcy.  To  his  creditors  he  turned  over 
every  dollar  of  his  property,  including  his  Philadelphia 
homestead  and  his  summer  residence  at  Gibraltar. 
However,  through  native  sagacity,  energy  and  enter- 
prise, the  unfortunate  banker  regained  all  that  was  lost, 
and  was  again  upon  his  feet,  having  paid  every  dollar 
of  his  indebtedness. 


sorely 
T  rep- 
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change 

mpany 
.incoln, 
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imond, 
to  Mr. 
ter  ob- 


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It   IS  to 

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braltar. 
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CASTLED  GIBRALTAR  AND  ITS  LORD. 


277 


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SPHINX  HEAD-GIBRALTAR, 


Twice  a  year  during  the  spring  and  fall  bass  fish- 
ing seasons,  Jay  Cooke  visits  Gibraltar  for  the  purpose 
of  indulging  his  piscatorial  fancy.  He  is  known  as  a 
veteran  at  the  rod  and  reel,  and  can  catch  more  bass  in 
a  day  than  any  patron  who  visits  Put-in- Ha}'.  Un- 
like the  average  bass  fisherman.  Jay  Cooke  never  fishes 
on  Sunday,  but  may  always  be  found  in  his  pew  in  the 
Put- in-Bay  church.  Excepting  when  on  piscatorial 
excursions,  he  seldom  visits  his  isi  'J  resort,  but  its 
doors  are  nevertheless  open  throughout  the  summer 


,ij,fcfi 


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f 

III 

1. 


i ; 


278 


CASTLED  GIBRALTAR  AND  ITS  LORD, 


season  to  his  children,  grandchildren  and  friends,  in- 
cluding the  Barney  and  Butler  families  and  the  families 
of  Rev.  Harry  Cooke  and  Jay  Cooke  Jr.  Rev.  Cooke 
is  a  devoted  young  man  who  is  giving  his  life  to  the 
ministry,  not  hecause  of  its  returns  as  a  means  of  sup- 
port, but  because  his  heart  is  in  the  work. 


ii 


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to  the 

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JOHNSON'S  ISLAND; 

Burial  Ground  of  the  Gmfederate  Dead* 

Next  in  historical  importance  to  Put-in-Bay  ranks 
Johnson's  Island,  rendered  famous  during  the  Southern 
rebellion  as  a  place  for  the  confinement  of  Confederate 
prisoners,  3,000  of  whom— all  commissioned  officers — 
representing  the  flower  of  the  Southern  army,  were 
held  in  serveillance. 

Johnson's  Island  is  a  strip  of  land  one  and  one-half 
miles  in  length,  and  containing  about  275  acres,  lying 
near  the  mouth  of  Sandusky  bay  and  three  miles  from 
Sandusky  city. 

In  early  days  this  body  of  land  was  known  as 
"Bull's"  Island,  E.  W.  Bull,  a  pioneer  of  the  lake  region, 
having  been  its  original  owner.  In  1852  it  became  the 
property  of  Leonard  B.  Johnson,  and  from  that  date  has 
borne  its  present  name. 

During  the  war  with  the  British  and  Indians  in  181 2, 
and  in  the  struggle  of  the  Canadian  "patriots"  in  1838, 
Johnson's  Island  figured  more  or  less  conspicuously, 
but  it  was  not  until  the  war  of  the  rebellion  that  the 
place  achieved  historical  prominence  of  a  national  char- 
acter. 

In  1862  the  island  was  first  used  as  a  military  prison 
post.  The  extensive  grounds  serving  this  purpose 
were  enclosed  by  a  fence  or  wall  twelve  feet  high,  with 
around  the  top,  along  which  sentinels  paced 


a  parapet 
night  and  day. 


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JOHNSON'S  ISLAND. 


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Lines  of  barracks  for  the  prisoners,  headquarter^  for 
officers  of  the  guard,  a  fort,  a  prison  hospital,  and  last, 
but  not  least  in  melancholy  importance,  a  burial  ground, 
became  adjuncts  to  the  military  occupation  of  Johnson's 
Island. 

In  addition  to  a  strong  guard  of  Federal  troops 
placed  over  the  prisoners,  the  United  States  gunboat 
Michigan  was  detailed  for  duty  and  lay  at  anchor  in  the 
bay  with  her  guns  primed  and  ready  at  a  moment's  alarm 
to  sweep  the  prison  grounds  with  a  full  broadside. 

No  complete  history  in  detail  of  prison  life  at  John- 
son's Island  has  ever  been  written,  but  judging  from  the 
many  articles  and  sketches  of  a  fragmentary  character 
which  have  appeared  from  time  to  time  in  newspapers 
and  periodicals,  a  narration  of  the  reminiscences  to 
which  its  possession  by  the  United  States  government 
as  a  military  prison  gave  rise,  would  fill  a  volume. 

The  one  absorbing  thought  naturally  uppermost  in 
the  minds  of  prisoners  thus  exiled,  was  comprehended 
in  the  word — freedom.  The  remote  little  isle,  laved 
upon  every  side  by  the  bay  waters,  afforded  meager 
chance  of  escape,  for  were  the  prisoners  success- 
ful in  evading  the  guards  and  in  scaling  the  stock- 
ade, they  could  get  no  farther  than  the  shores.  The 
only  possible  opportunity  afforded  for  reaching  the 
mainland  was  in  winter  when  bay  and  lake  were  frozen. 
Inventive  genius  was  then  exhausted  in  devising  plans 
of  escape,  but  which,  though  cleverly  laid,  miscarried 
in  almost  every  instance.  An  exceptional  case  is  re- 
corded atj  follows: 

"The  frigidly  cold  night  of  Jan.  i,  1864,  is  remem- 
bered by  the  prisoners,  when  the  mercury  sank  to  26 


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JOHNSON'S  ISLAND. 


281 


degrees  below  zero.  The  coal  oil  in  the  lamps  lighting 
the  prison  grounds  froze  and  the  lights  were  all  extin- 
guished. 

"The  five  daring  men  are  also  recalled  who  that 
night  mounted  the  walls  and  crossed  over  the  ice  to  San- 
dusky city,  three  miles  distant.  Two  of  the  men  were 
su  nearly  frozen  to  death  as  to  be  compelled  to  lie  over 
at  the  houses  of  citizens  and  be  recaptured,  the  remain- 
ing three  having  reached  British  possessions,  thereby 
achieving  liberty.  They  then  traveled  500  miles  over 
deep  snows  to  the  mouth  of  the  St.  Lawrence,  where 
they  set  sail  for  Havana,  from  which  point  they  ran  the 
blockade  at  Wilmington  and  joined  their  commands. 
Col.  John  R.  Winston  of  North  Carolina  was  the  leader 
of  this  adventure." 

At  Johnson's  Island,  in  1864,  was  enacted  the  lead- 
ing events  of  a  notable  conspiracy  to  which  reference 
has  already  been  made  in  this  work,  namely:  The  at- 
tempt on  the  part  of  the  Southern  Confederacy  through 
its  agents  to  capture  the  United  States  gunboat  Michi- 
gan and  lake  transports  of  the  Detroit,  Island  and  San- 
duvsky  lines,  and  the  simultaneous  release  of  the  rebel 
prisoners  fconfined*  at  Johnson's  Island,  at  Camp  Chase 
near  Columbus,  at  Camp  Douglass  near  Chicago,  and 
at  Camp  Morton  near  Indianapolis  —in  all  about  26,000 
men. 

Hatched  at  the  Confederate  capitol,  this  plot  was 
carried  forward  by  a  few  sworn  adherents,  chief  of 
whom  were  Colonel  Cole,  an  officer  in  the  army  of  Gen- 
eral Lee,  and  John  Yates  Beall.  The  former  was 
called  to  Richmond  and  there  entrusted  with  this  secret 
service.     Colonel  Cole  is  said  to  have  been  a  man  of 


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282 


yO/LVSOJV'S  ISLAND, 


wonderful  coolness  and  courage,  as  well  as  of  ample  re- 
sources, though  to  all  appearances  a  coarse,  uncultured 
man.  Beall  on  the  contrary  was  a  handsome,  well 
educated  young  man,  a  West  Virginian,  and  an  officer 
in  the  Confederate  navy. 

The  "woman  in  the  case"  was  Annie  Davis,  a  fe- 
male spy,  who  played  skillfully  her  part  in  the  drama. 

The  first  move  on  the  part  of  Cole  was  to  open  a 
correspondence  with  one  of  the  Johnson's  Island  prison- 
ers—  Major  Trimble.  This  correspondence  was  car- 
ried on  through  ink-written  letters  interlined  with  im- 
portant messages  written  in  starch,  and  afterwards 
rendered  visible  by  an  application  of  iodine. 

Through  Major  Trimble  was  organized  among  the 
prisoners  a  society  known  as  "The  Southern  Cross," 
having  for  its  emblem  a  wooden  cross  twined  with  the 
Confederate  colors.  Its  members  were  bound  by  iron- 
clad oaths,  administered  on  the  open  Bible,  to  hold 
themselves  in  readiness,  when  the  time  came,  to  strike 
at  once  a  blow  for  personal  liberty  and  the  Southern 
cause.  They  were  also  bound  to  the  most  solemn 
secrecy. 

While  Beall  and  about  twenty  picked  men  were 
detailed  to  capture  by  strategy  the  steamers  Island 
Queen  and  Philo  Parsons,  Annie  Davis,  then  located 
at  the  West  House,  Sandusky,  was  industriously  work- 
ing up  the  plot's  initial  feature — the  capture  of  the 
Michigan  — by  first  capturing  by  the  wiles  of  coquetry 
her  officers  and  eliciting  from  them  information  con- 
cerning matters  military  at  Johnson's  Island  and  San- 
dusky. 

Woman,   not  only,  but   wine    was   employed   by 


JOHNSOXS  ISLAND 


283 


;^le  re- 
Itured 
,  well 

oiflCLT 

,  a  fe- 
iramii. 
3pen  a 
prison- 
as  car- 
ith  im- 
rwards 

)ng  the 
Cross," 
nih  the 
)y  iron- 
o  hold 
)  strike 
uthern 
solemn 

In  were 
Island 
llocated 
work- 
o£  the 
iquetry 
in  con- 
id  San- 
red  by 


sagacious  Colonel  Cole  in  addling  the  brains  and  draw- 
ing into  his  meshes  the  unsuspecting  naval  oflicers,  and 
a  champagne  supper  served  by  him  aboard  the  Michi- 
gan on  the  night  set  for  the  culmination  of  the  con- 
spiracy came  within  an  ace  of  placing  the  vessel  and 
her  command  in  the  hands  ol  the  rebels. 

The  convivial  cup  had  gone  its  rounds  until  as  the 
hours  of  night  wore  on,  the  party  had  become  mellow 
and  merry.  For  the  closing  draught,  however,  was 
reserved  a  potion  heavily  drugged,  which  Cole  was 
about  to  deal  out,  when  suddenly  confronted  by  the 
commanding  ofllcer,  who  had  been  absent  during  this 
time  at  Johnson's  Island. 

Advancing,  the  otTicer  laid  his  hand  upon  Cole's 
shoulder. 

"You  d — n  rebel  spy!  •  Vou  are  my  prisoner!"  he 
hissed. 

"Sergeant-of-m  irines,  arrest  this  man  and  put  him 
in  irons!" 

Had  a  torpedo  suddenly  exploded  under  the  Mich- 
igan her  otlicers  could  scarcely  have  been  more  com- 
pletely dumfounded. 

Having  successfully  performed  his  allotted  task 
and  obtained  possession  of  the  two  island  steamers, 
Beall  on  board  the  Philo  Parsons  awaited  off  Cedar 
Point  the  signal  agreed  upon — a  cannon  shot  from  the 
Michigan — to  attack  and  capture  the  gunboat  and  to 
assist  the  prisoners  at  the  island,  who  were  to  rise  at 
the  same  time  in  insurrection,  overpower  the  guards  and 
make  good  their  escape. 

The  signal  came  not,  however,  and  realizing  that 


km, 


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284 


JOHNSOX'S  ISLAND. 


THE  REMAINING  BLOCK  HOUSE, 

the  plot  had  failed,  the  Parsons,  at  Beall's  command, 
was  put  about  and  headed  with  all  speed  for  Canada. 

Up  to  the  afternoon  of  that  day  every  part  of  the 
bold  project  had  worked  like  a  charm,  but  as  after- 
wards generally  learned,  the  plans  of  the  conspirators 
were  given  away  when  nearly  completed  by  one  of  the 
prisoners. 

Cole  was  closely  confined  and  guarded  at  Johnson's 
Island,  and  later  was  tried  by  a  military  court  martial 
and  sentenced  to  be  shot,  but  ultimately  through  influ- 
ential friends  obtained  pardon.  While  leader  of  the 
conspiracy,  and  as  such  more  deserving  of  punishment, 
Cole  went  free,  while  his  abettor,  cultured  and 
courteous  Beall,  was  executed  as  a  spy  at  Gouverneur's 
Island  in  New  York  bay. 


ommand, 
Canada. 

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Not  much  now  remains  on  Johnson's  Island  to  re- 
mind the  visitor  of  the  tragic  scenes  there  enacted,  save 
a  few  stragghng  rem.iants  of  the  prison  buildings  and 
the  cemetery  where  lie  buried  206  Confederate  dead. 
Georgia  marble  headstones,  inscribed  with  the  name, 
age,  company  and  regiment  of  each,  were  erected 
over  these  graves  in  1890  through  the  instrumentality 
of  Mr.  John  T.  Mack,  of  Sandusky,  and  a  party  of 
Georgia  newspaper  men  and  prominent  horticulturists 
who  visited  the  place  in  1889  and  saw  its  neglected 
condition. 

Previous  to  that  time  the  burial  site  presented  a 
scene  of  neglect.  The  writer  was  privileged  once  to 
view  the  spot  before  the  ertction  of  these  tablets,  the 
occasion  being  the  decoration  of  the  graves  on  Memorial 
day  by  a  detachment  of  McMeens  Post,  G.  A.  R.  of 
Sandusky. 

After  a  run  of  twenty  minutes  the  steamer  upon 
which  we  took  passage  landed  her  passengers  at  a  little 
dock  that  put  out  from  shore.  Headed  by  a  drum  corps 
and  a  flag  bearer,  the  detachment  took  up  its  line  of 
march  for  the  burial  place,  distant  nearly  a  mile,  fol- 
lowed by  a  procession  of  people.  There  was  no  path, 
save  that  trodden  by  those  who  led.  Following  the 
shore  bend,  with  the  blue  waters  of  Erie  to  the  right,  on 
the  left  a  sloping  sweep  of  grass  land  rolled  its  billowy 
verdure  to  the  edge  of  a  distant  timber  belt.  This  grassy 
plain  was  the  site  upon  which  had  once  been  located 
the  prison  grounds.  Remnants  of  the  old  barracks  and 
other  buildings  were  pointed  out.  The  windows  were 
broken  and  their  exterior  appeau'd  weather  beaten  and 
ghostly.     Startled  by  clang  of  drums  and  tlap  of  Hags, 


[til 


■f'A' 


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286 


/OH ARSON'S  ISLAND. 


T^ir,3%^^^ 


POWDER   MAGAZINE. 


i  li  A 


a  few  horses  and  cattle  (^razin<j^  amidst  the  deep  grass 
scurried  away  to  the  farthest  bouncis  of  the  pasture. 

The  procession  continued  its  march,  beating  through 
rank  grass  and  over  piles  of  drift  wood  and  ridges  of 
gravel,  which  the  high  seas  of  recent  storm^s  liad  lodged 
in  the  edge  of  the  meadow. 

Leaving  the  shore  line  the  path  swerved  a  little  to 
the  left,  leading  through  a  thicket  so  dense  th<it  a 
passage  would  not  have  been  practicable  bun  for  the 
opening  previously  made  with  ax  and  scythe.  The 
underbrush  rinally  merged  into  a  strio  of  forest  and  liere 
in  a  spot  as  lonely  as  was  ever  selected  for  tlte  ourial  of 
the  dead,  under  branches  low  bending,  amid  strt^adows 
and  silence,  appeared  long  row.^  of  soddLen  muunds, 
marked  only  by  wooden  headboards  bearmg  eacli  the 
name  and  age  of  deceased,  together  w:  h  the  number  of 
the  command  to  which  he  had  belongeU.     These  head 


JOHNSOA'S  ISLAND. 


287 


BURIAL  GROUND.  SHOWING  WOODEN   HEADSTONES  ORIGINALLY  ERECTED. 

boards  had  been  painted  vvliite,  but  the  storms  of  more 
than  a  quarter  ot  a  century  had  worn  them  grey,  and 
most  of  them  had  fallen  to  the  ground.  Though  dim, 
nearly  all  tlie  inscriptions  were  still  legible  and  a  mourn- 
ful pathos  breathed  in  the  language  thereby  spoken. 
Gazing  upon  the  scene,  visions  of  homes  amid  the  orange 
and  magnolia  groves  of  the  sunny  southland  appeared, 
desolated  by  the  removal  of  those  who  rest  in  this  little 
isle  far  from  the  ministering  hands  of  kindred  and  friends, 
with  only  the  northern  tempest's  beat  and  the  breaking 
waves  of  a  northern  sea  lulling  them  to  the  sleep  that 
knows  no  waking. 


M 


288 


JOHNSOA'S  ISLAND. 


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mingled,  the  veteran  band  gathered  about  the  graves 
of  those  with  whom  they  had  once  closed  in  deadly 
conflict.  There  were  empty  sleeves  and  scars  that  told 
of  bitter  strife  and  bloodshed,  but  the  bitterness  was 
gone,  the  blood  stains  wiped  out,  and  only  peace  and 
charity  and  a  feeling  of  common  brotherhood  now 
dwelt  within  the  hearts  of  the  survivors. 

The  stars  and  stripes  waved  not  triumphantly  in  the 
still  air,  but  drooped  silently,  letting  fall  its  silken  folds 
where  slept  the  brave  but  misguided  sons  of  the  South. 
Fair  flow»irs  were  placed  by  fair  hands  upon  the 
mounds  already  sprinkled  with  wildwood  blossoms. 

A  prayer,  a  brief  address,  a  benediction,  and  the  dead 
were  again  left  to  the  shadows  and  the  silence. 


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"BROWN  SUGAR." 

A  Reminiscense  of  Sandusky  Bay* 

On  a  tiny  projection  an  isolated  dwelling  reared 
its  unpretentious  walls.  Though  deeply  sequestered, 
the  spot  was  highly  romantic.  Above  low  levels  of 
swamp  land  and  stretches  of  black  water,  the  point 
rose  perceptibly  with  suggestions  of  an  island,  which 
it  had  undoubtedly  been  at  no  very  remote  period 
when  the  bav  extended  farther  inland. 

The  broken  edges  of  the  little  plateau  were  edged 
about  with  the  tall,  feathery  plumes  of  the  wild  rice 
plant,  intermixed  with  rank  reeds,  rushes  and  "cat- 
tails." Willow  copses  and  a  few^  forest  and  orchard 
trees  covered  most  of  the  remaining  portion  and  seen 
through  foliage  of  mixed  greens,  the  black  roof  and 
weather-stained  walls  of  the  dwelling  appeared  strik- 
ingly picturesque.  It  was  deeply  banked  with  Golden 
Rod,  now  all  aflame,  and  wild  Rose  of  Sharon  in  full 
bloom,  and  the  brillianc}^  and  prodigality  of  color  dis- 
played blended  in  pleasing  effect  with  the  surrounding 
greenery. 

Close  by  the  house  a  winding  pathway  led  to  a 
rude  dock  beside  which  two  or  three  boats  rocked  in 
the  sunshine.  Directly  ahead  and  to  left  and  right 
glinted  the  still  dark  waters,  broken  near  and  far  by 
numerous  small  capes  and  promontories  everywhere 
clothed  with  the  rankest  vegetation.     Acres  of  wild 


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290 


BROWN  SUGAR'' 


rice  and  reeds  pricked  above  the  surface,  and  vast 
floating  islands  of  water  lillies  bowed  gracefully  their 
broad  le^Jves  and  creamv  blossoms  to  the  incominij 
swell,  which  like  a  gentle  tide  rolled  far  up  the  bay 
when  the  wind  was  easterly  and  Lake  Erie  in  com- 
motion. Marine  ph;nls  flourished  luxuriantly  under 
the  water,  and  trailing  masses  of  weed,  vivid  j^reen  in 
color,  floated  to  the  surface  and  frequently  impeded 
the  paddle  wheels  of  the  small  tugs  and  steamers  that 
ventured  through  the  upper  bay  to  the  river  beyond 
A  line  of  buoys  m:irked  the  winding,  deep  water 
channel  without  which  these  craft  would  have  been 
lost  in  the  mtricate  maze. 

The  waters  were  alive  with  fish,  and  turtles,  tad- 
poles, snakes  and  frogs  abounded.  The  dense  tangles 
formed  a  rendezvous  for  wild  duck,  marsh  hen,  loon 
and  bittern.  Troops  of  birds  frequented  the  shores, 
and  game  of  every  description  was  plentiful.  The 
whole  region  up  and  down  the  bay  formed  a  favored 
resort  for  hunters  and  anglers,  and  boat  loads  of  these 
sportsmen  were  constantly  abroad. 

The  house  on  the  little  promontory  was  the  only 
human  habitation  visible.  It  was  the  home  of  Pete 
Mathews,  a  bay  shore  farmer.  Mathews  owned  a 
large  tract  of  rich  farming  lands  adjacent,  but  had 
chosen  to  build  in  this  lonely  place.  Of  neighbors, 
such  as  they  were,  he  had  plenty.  Gulls  and  eagles 
screamed  over  his  roof  by  day,  and  owls  hooted  him 
to  sleep  at  night,  but  he  had  prospered,  and  from 
humble  beginnings  had  evoluted  into  a  producer  on  a 
large  scale  ot  wheat,  corn  and  potatoes  which  an- 
nually yielded  him  abundant  crops. 


''BROWN  SUGARr 


291 


He  kept  a  hired  man  the  year  round,  and  his  wife 
a  hired  j^irl  durin*(  the  wsummer  months;  for  a  thrifty- 
housewife  was  Mistress  Mathews,  and  she  made 
stacks  of  butler,  besides  entertaining^  summer  boarders 
—  sportsmen  and  rusticators  -  from  the  cities  who 
came  to  hunt,  to  fish  and  to  run  wild. 

The  weather  iiad  been  wet,  wilh  intermitting  hot 
sunshine,  and  the  weeds  were  tiirealenin^'  to  clioke 
out  the  garden  vegetables,  and  Pete's  wife  had  been 
tr\  ing  to  head  them  off.  Weary  and  overheated  she 
turned  at  last  low.ird  the  house,  left  in  charge  of ' 
Cassie,  the  hired  girl.  She  found  the  screen  door 
open,  the  kitclien  full  of  flies  and  mosquitoes,  a  kettle 
of  bean  porridge  scorching  on  the  stove,  but  no 
Cassie.  It  was  twenty  minutes  to  six,  Mr.  Bronson, 
the  boarder,  Pete  the  householder  and  husbandman, 
and  Philander,  the  hired  man,  would  soon  be  in  to 
supper  and  i\o\.  even  the  kettle  over. 

"I  declare  to  goodness  if  it  don't  beat  all  with  that 
girl!" 

"I  don't  see  what's  comin'  over  her  to  be  so 
ker'less  and  shiftless  all  to  once." 

"She's  out  front  flirtin'  with  them  city  fellers" — 
said  Pete  entering  at  that  moment. 

For  half  an  hour,  ('assie  had  watched  so  intently 
the  path  leading  to  the  dock  as  to  completely  forget 
her  household  duties  Going  to  and  fro  between  the 
place  where  their  boats  lay,  and  "Walton"  Hotel  at 
which  they  sojourned, —  a  mile  back  from  shore, — 
two  sportsmen  had  passed  the  house  frequently  of  late. 
To  all  appearances  they  were  gentlemen.     Both  were 


ill 


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292 


''DROWN  SUGARr 


extremely  polite,  and  one  of  the  number  had  paid  espe- 
cial deference  to  Cassie. 

Now  Cassie — pretty,  piquant,  and  saucy — was  not 
averse  to  an  occasional  flirtation.  Though  of  irreproach- 
able character,  a  simple,  unsophisticated  country 
girl  was  she,  easily  flattered  and  imposed  upon,  and  the 
smiles  and  graceful  gallantries  bestowed  by  Mr.  Frank 
Harrow  were  most  effective  in  turning  her  little  head 
besides  giving  Philander  a  world  of  trouble,  since  for 
.months  past  the  poor  fellow  had  been  assiduous  in  his 
attentions  to  the  girl  and  she  had  given  him  reason  to 
hope. 

Having  put  over  the  tea  kettle.  Mistress  Mathews 
stepped  to  the  front  window. 

"Cassie,  Cassie  !"  she  called. 

The  girl  was  leaning  against  the  pump,  her  blonde 
frizzes  flying  all  about,  her  cheeks  a  rich  bloom. 

In  a  lively  tilt  with  Harrow  she  was  flinging  chrewd 
repartees  with  rapidity  and  effect. 

"1  must  go" — Mrs.  Mathews'  imperative  voice  had 
at  last  recalled  Cassie's  wandering  thoughts. 

"Take  this  then  with  my  compliments" — said 
Harrow  tossing  her  a  water  lily.  He  lifted  his  hat, 
and  with  a  smile  and  graceful  wave  of  the  hand  passr 
ed  on. 

Hiding  the  flower  under  her  apron,  Cassie  hurried 
into  the  house  where  she  made  peace  with  her  mis- 
tress as  best  she  could. 

Tenderly  nurtured,  that  lily  continued  for  several 
days  to  exhale  its  fragrance,  Cassie  having  placed  it  in 
a  vase  of  water  in  her  room. 

Again    and    again  they   met,   he   the   handsome, 


^ 


''  BROWN  sugar:' 


293 


d  espe- 

^as  not 
3roach- 
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ind  the 

Frank 
e  head 
nee  for 

in  his 
ison   to 

athews 


blonde 

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ice  had 

' — said 
lis  hat, 
1  passr 

lurried 
ir  mis- 
several 
ed  it  in 

dsome, 


faultlessly  dressed,  alfable,  and  af^reeable  city  man,  she 
the  pretty,  but  crude  and  inexperienced  country  girl. 
One  day  while  hanging  out  the  week's  wash,  a  boy 
from  Walton  Hotel  delivered  to  her  a  letter.  The 
missive  was  scented  with  Attar  of  Roses  and  enclosed 
witliin  a  dainty  envelope.  Hastily  opening,  she  read 
as  ioll(JWs  : 

Waf/pon  Hotel,  Sept.  i8th,  i8 — . 
My  Dear  Little  Girl: 

"You  will  doubtless  think  strange  that  I  should  ad- 
dress you,  but  the  fact  is  I  am  writing  because  1  can't 
help  it.  If  you  could  only  realize  »"hat  a  lovely  little 
witch  you  are  and  how  perfectly  irresistible  to  me  you 
have  become,  you  would  understand  and  excuse  lan- 
guage which  might  otherwise  seem  extravagant." 

"Now  that  yuu   have   so  completely  charmed  me, 

my  bonny  bird,  I  must  beg  the  pleasure  of  your  further 
acquaintance." 

"When  the  moon  casts  her  pale  light  over  the  bay 
and  the  stars  blink  forth,  will  you  not  meet  me  down 
at  the  boat  landing  about  eight  o'clock,  say.  To- 
gether we  will  row  over  the  glistening  waters  and  for- 
get all  else  save  each  other,  then  will  I  tell  you  of  all 
that  is  in  my  heart.        Yours  devotedly, 

"Frank  Harrow." 

With  puzzled  look  and  flushing  cheeks  Cassie 
entered  the  house.  A  few  hours  later  Harrow  and 
Duffree,  his  companion,  passed  by  on  their  way  to  the 
dock.  Harrow  cast  furtive  glances  toward  the  house 
but  failed  to  get  sight  of  Cassie.  He  looked  disap- 
pointed, and  on  reaching  the  willow  thickets  proposed 
halting  under  the  cool  shadow,  for  the  day  was  sultry. 


■i 


,1' 


I 


2d4 


''BROWX  sugar: 


il  It 


i:lf 


'i '  I 


iiii'n'i 


Seate.l  on  a  lojr  in  full  view  of  the  house,  each  lit  a 
ci<;ar,  but  Cassie  very  obstinately  kept  out  of  si<^ht. 

"What's  amiss  up  yonder,  Harrow?"  queried  Duf- 
free. 

"Oh,  the  pretty  dove  is  1  iding  out  of  sheer  modesty, 
that's  all,"  replied  the  other  carelessly. 

'*You  are  really  mashed  on  her  then?" 

"Well,  yes  I  suppose  that  I  might  as  well  make  the 
admission." 

"And  how  about  the  dreamy  eyed  Creole.  You 
don't  propose  this  little  rustic  to  take  her  place?" 

"Of  course,  Nita  and  I  have  had  frequent  quarrels 
of  late,  and  to  tell  the  truth  she  has  lost  her  hold  upon 
me.  But  there'll  be  hearts  enough  open  to  receive  a 
woman  of  her  imposing  style." 

"But  don't  vou  know  that  a  bird  in  the  hand  is 
worth  two  in  the  bush.  You  might  experience  some 
difficulty  in  gaining  this  girl's  conHdence." 

"Leave  me  alone  for  that,  Duffree;  she  is  is  of  a 
simple  and  confiding  nature,  you  know.  It  would  be 
quite  an  easy  matter  to  make  her  believe  the  moon 
is  made  of  "green  cheese." 

"By  the  way,  I've  just  thought  of  a  name  that  ad- 
mirably fits  my  new  divmity." 

"And  what  might  it  be?" 

"Brown  Sugar." 

"And  the  application,  or  signification?" 

Don't  you  comprehend?" 

"I  call  her  Brown  Sugar  because  she's  sweet  but 
unrefined." 

"Ah  !" and  Duffree  laughed. 

"How  about  your  wife,  Harrow?" 


BROWN  SUGARr 


295 


"Arn't  you  afraid  she'll  get  an  inkling  of  your 
little  escapades  some  timer" 

**0h  no,  I  guess  there'll  be  no  danger.  I've 
always  poised  is  a  dutiful  and  indulgent  husband  and 
she's  a  trusting  creature.'* 

"Vou  dog  !" 

"Well,  if  I'm  a  dog  you're  another." 

"Yes,  but  I  have  no  wife." 

"But  for  existing  circumstances  I  should  be  glad  if 
I  had  none,  but  my  wife  holds  the  ducats,  you  know, 
and  to  kick  out  of  the  matrimonial  traces  would  make 
it  bad  for  a  fellow  who  has  nothing  of  his  own,  see?" 

"I  will  find  some  agreeable  position  for  my  little 
country  girl  and  my  wife  will  be  none  the  wiser." 

"First  catch  your  bird/'  returned  Duffree. 

"Oh,  there'll  be  no  trouble.  These  green  country 
girls  are  the  most  credulous  beings  in  the  world,  as 
well  as  the  most  devoted," 

"Pm  not  so  sure  of  what  you  say.  It  strikes  me 
that  your  new  fancy  has  a  mind  and  will  of  her  own." 

This  was  part  of  a  conversation,  supposed  to  be 
confidential,  held  between  the  two  sports.  They  little 
dreamed  of  a  listener,  but  by  chance  it  happened  that 
Philander  was  on  the  opposite  side  of  the  copse  mend- 
ing gill  nets  and  had  heard  all.  As  soon  as  the  men 
left  the  place  he  hastened  to  Cassie  with  his  newly 
acquired  information.  When  he  had  concluded  the  re- 
cital Cassie  went  up  stairs  and  threw  the  unoffending 
water  lily  out  of  the  window. 

That  night  at  eight  o'clock  when  the  moon  rose 
over  the  bay,  Frank  Harrow  paced  back  and  forth  over 
the  rough  planking  of  the  dock,  but  Cassie  did  not 


m^ 


■ 


,.I|MB*   ^PI|,,Jf^M4^ 


296 


''BROWN  SUGARr 


■,\\  j 


1:^  % 


i'i  IS! 


m. 


come.  A  long  time  he  waited,  but  finally  retired  vexed 
and  disappointed. 

For  successive  days  he  saw  nothing  of  the  girl,  but 
not  to  be  outwitted,  he  resolved  to  make  her  a  call. 

Supper  was  over  at  Pete  Mathews'.  Cassie  had 
washed  and  put  away  the  dishes,  and  arrayed  in  a  blue 
gingham  sunbonnet  was  starting  for  the  barn  to  feed 
a  late  spring  calf  there  ensconsed.  With  a  pail  of  bran 
and  milk,  thickly  stirred  together,  in  her  hand,  the 
rustic  beauty  was  suddenly  transfixed  by  hearing  Frank 
Harrow  speak  her  name. 

"How  do  you  do,  Miss  Cassie,  I  hope  you  are  well." 

There  was  an  ominous  pause. 

"Not  having  seen  you  for  some  time,  I  thought  I 
would  call  and  inquire  for  your  health." 

A  sudden  redness  flashed  over  Cassie's  features. 
For  answer  her  pretty,  but  athletic  arm  gave  a  convul- 
sive swing  and  the  contents  of  the  pail  went  full  into 
Harrow's  face  and  ran  down  his  enamelled  shirt  front. 
Splashes  of  the  mixture  decorated  his  beaver  and 
coursed  sluggishl}'  down  his  coat  sleeves,  vest  front  and 
trouser  legs. 

Never  in  all  his  experience  had  Harrow  received  so 
complete  a  surprise  and  he  was  struck  speechless  with 
amazement.  Having  rubbed  the  gluten  from  his  eyes 
and  dripping  moustache  he  at  last  found  his  tongue. 

"What  in  thunder  do  you  mean?  "  he  roared. 

"V/hat  have  I  done  to  deserve  such  villainous 
treatment?  You  hussy,  how  dare  you  perpetrate  such 
an  infernal  outrage?  " 

"That  comes  of  mashin  round  'oreen  country' 
girls,"  said  Philander  significantly. 


ed  vexed 

girl,  but 
a  call, 
issie  had 
in  a  blue 
n  to  feed 
ill  of  bran 
land,  the 
n^r  Frank 


5» 


ire  well. 


bought  I 

features, 
a  convul- 
t  full  into 
lirt  front, 
aver  and 
front  and 

iceived  so 
iless  with 
1  his  eyes 
ongue. 
ed. 

villainous 
rate  such 

country' 


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1 1 


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m 

♦  "tl 


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i 


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h   i 


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■  I! 
li 


I  ! 

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( 


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< 
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10 

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''  DROWN  sugar:' 


297 


l\ 


t- 
z 

o 

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cr 
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a 
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"Next  time  you  and  your  pal  talk  over  your  love 
affairs,  you'd  better  look  on  'tother  side  of  the  copse  to 
see  if  there  be  any  to  hear." 

The  air  of  offended  dignity  which  Harrow  had  as- 
sumed now  gave  way  to  a  look  of  blank  dismay. 

"Better  take  yourself  off,  mister,  fast  as  yer  legs'll 
let  you,  ef  you  don't  want  damages  to  the  extent  of  a 
broken  head.'' 

Harrow  took  one  look  at  the  burly  six  footer  and 
hastily  quitted  the  scene. 

The  next  mDrning  he  bade  adieu  to  Walton  Hotel. 

"Business,"  he  explained,  called  him  back  to  the  city. 

"How's  sporting  up  the  bay,  Harrow?  "  queried  an 
acquaintance  whom  he  met  on  reaching  his  destination. 

"Tame — played  out,  in  fact,"  was  the  moody  reply. 

"Ah,  indeed!  "     Then  assuming  a  confidential  tone: 

"By  the  way,  pard,  what's,  wrong  between  you  and 
your  wife:  " 

"Me  and  my  wife?" 

"Not  anything,  man!" 

"Then  I  guess  you  haven't  heard  the  news.  She's 
tiled  a  petition  for  divorce." 

"What!  no,  that  can't  be  possible!" 

"But  it  is  possible." 

"On  what  grounds?" 

"Don't  know.  I  hear  there's  a  woman  in  the  case 
as  usual,  also  a  letter;  that's  all  I  know." 

It  was  with  some  misgivings,  cloaked  under  an  out- 
ward guise  of  nonchalance,  that  Harrow  reached  his 
home  on  the  avenue  and  confronted  his  wife.  That 
Nita  had  made  trouble  was  his  inward  thought.  To 
his  wife,  however,  he  coolly  put  the  question : 


I'.!' 


"Tv'T- 


M.ij 


hi  !i 


t  ^ 


•  M) 


i  ii' 


\u    ) 


j;*- 


5?i 

11^ 


298  ''BROWN  SUGARr 

"What's  the  row?"  * 

For  answer  she  quietly  handed  him  a  letter  which 
read  as  follows: 

"Wild  Duck  Point,  Sept.  2,  18 — . 

*"  Derc  Mrs,  Harrozu: 

"I  write  these  few  lines  to  let  you  know  something 
what  I  think  vou  ouj'-ht  to  kn.w.  Our  border,  Mr. 
Bronson,  says  he  knows  you  and  Mr.  Harrow  both. 
He  says  you  live  close  to  where  he  does  and  that  you 
air  a  real  nice  woman,  and  he  is  sorry  that  you  have 
such  a  skalawag  for  u  man. 

"I  send  you  a  letter  what  Mr.  Harrow  wrote  me 
yesterday,  by  which  you  can  see  how  he  carries  sail 
when  he's  away  from  home.  If  you  want  to  know 
any  more,  Philander  Smith,  our  hired  man,  can  tell  you 
a  lot  about  him.  Yours  truly, 

"Cassie  Hart." 

Harrow  was  visibly  agitated  when  he  had  finished 
reading. 

"And  where  is  the  letter  enclosed  ?  "  he  asked. 

"In  the  hands  of  my  attorney;  but  here's  a  copy." 

Harrow  was  thus  afforded  an  opportunity  of  pe- 
rusing a  reproduction  of  his  epistle  to  Cassie. 

The  next  outing  season  Frank  Harrow  was  not 
among  the  guests  at  Walton  Hotel.  With  the  assist- 
ance of  Philander  and  Cassie  as  principal  witnesses, 
Mrs.  Harrow  had  procured  a  divorce  and  with  all  her 
possessions  had  forsaken  her  lord.  As  a  second  rate 
clerk  in  a  lawyer's  office  Harrow  was  now  afforded  an 
opportunity  of  making  himself  "useful  as  well  as  orna- 
mental." 


\k 


r  which 
8—. 

nething 
ir,  Mr. 
V  both, 
lat  you 
u  have 

"Ote  me 
ies  sail 
>  know 
tell  you 


'' BROWN  SUGARS  299 

As  to  morals,  he  finds  it  easier  living  up  to  the  com- 
mon standard  of  virtue  on  a  small  salary  than  it  had 
been  with  an  unlimited  supply  of  "ducats"  at  command- 
but  any  reference  to  "Brown  Sugar"  makes  him  visibly 
wmce.  -^ 

Cassie's  summer  time  fancy  was  effectually  dissi- 
pated and  she  returned  at  once  to  her  allegiance  A 
month  later  Philander  and  Cassie  were  legally  and 
securely  knotted. 


T. 


>> 


inished 


d. 


copy 
of  pe- 


?? 


1 . 

'.ill 


as  not 
assist- 
lesses, 
all  her 
d  rate 
ded  an 
I  orna- 


a*f 


WHAT  THE  DRIFT  BROUGHT  ASHORE 


I  I  '■ 


ill 


lli' 


i  M 


A  fog — the  densest  ever  known  in  the  archipelago 
— shrouded  lake  and  land,  shutting  from  view  sur- 
rounding objects.  Condensing  vapors  dripped  drearily 
from  grey  gables  and  naked  boughs;  and  a  silence 
impressive  and  profound  as  if  all  the  world  were  dead 
reigned  unbroken. 

It  was  early  spring  and  the  ice  was  breaking  and 
sluggishly  running  in  the  island  passages,  carried  along 
by  shifting  currents  though  scarce  a  breath  of  wind 
stirred. 

A  more  dismal  day  had  never  dawned  upon  "Wil- 
low Point" — so  at  least  thought  Mittie  McKay,  while 
seated  by  the  kitchen  window  she  knit  lace,  and  watch- 
ed her  father  at  work  as  with  ax  aswing  he  whacked 
away  at  the  long,  strong  bolts  and  oaken  timbers  of 
an  old  wreck — a  dismasted  schooner — that  lay  amidst 
the  driftwood  and  debris  brought  in  by  the  waves  and 
piled  into  winrows. 

In  vain  had  Mittie  tried  to  pierce  with  her  sharp 
eyes  the  obscurity.  She  could  not  see  even  the  big, 
black  buoy  on  Chenook  reef.  So  nicely  scumbled 
and  blended  by  the  fog  were  sky  and  water  that  the 
whole  perspective  seemed  a  single  sweep  of  sky  that 
reached  to  earth,  and  the  only  animate  objects  visible 
in  all  the  illimitable  expanse  were  the  nearer  floes 
adrift  in   the  dark   Water  and   appearing   like  white 


■  hi  MH''^: 


WHA  r  THE  DRIFT  BROUGHT  ASHORE. 


301 


clouds  on  a  leaden  background.  The  effect  was  strik- 
ing, but  too  devoid  of  life  for  a  girl  like  IVIitlie,  and  she 
withdrew  her  gaze  from  the  colorless  scene  to  that  in  the 
foreground  representing  her  father,  his  swinging  ax, 
and  the  broken  and  denuded  ribs  of  the  wrecked 
schooner. 

Mittie's  mouth  had  a  perceptible  droop  at  the 
corners,  and  her  eyes  a  misty  expression  borrowed  from 
the  fog,  and  once  when  the  thread  kinked  form- 
ing an  obstinate  knot,  a  frown  wrinkled  her  smooth 
brow.  Mittie's  feelings  were  evidently  in  sympathy 
with  the  weather.  For  her  on  this  dun  colored  dav  the 
old  wreck  had  a  peculiar  fascination. 

Nameless,  it  had  come  ashore  about  a  year  pre- 
vious, on  the  sweep  of  a  mighty  storm,  from  whence 
nobody  knew. 

"What  a  fit  emblem  of  life  is  that  old  hulk" — soli- 
loquized the  girl. 

"We  launch  forth  with  fair  prospects,  and  further- 
ing gales  only  to  fetch  up  on  some  desolate  shore  hope- 
lessly broken  and  battered." 

The  sad  case  of  the  beached  wreck  seemed  anal~ 
agous  to  her  own,  and  her  eyes  tilled  with  tears  at  its 
contemplation. 

Now,  considering  the  fact  that  Mittie  was  a  bright, 
pretty  girl  of  only  twenty  years,  the  idea  of  comparing 
herself  to  that  old  bare-boned  carcass  seemed  absurd. 
Nevertheless,  she  was  just  now  very,  very  miserable. 
It  was  all  in  consequence  of  a  quarrel  between  her  and 
Santa  Smith.  Mittie  and  the  young  man  had  been  af- 
fianced lovers  when  ;;  misunderstanding  occurred. 
Pride  and  resentment  on  both  sides  widened  the  breach 


.If 


:] 


■^PNHiva 


303 


U  HAT  THE  DRIFT  DROUGHT  ASHORE. 


\    \%^. 


■  3 


finally  resultinf^  in  complete  enstran^ement.  To  nnake 
matters  worse,  Santa  had  begun  paying  attention  to 
Stella  Pierce,  the  Willow  Point  school  mistress — a-flip, 
flirty,  frizzle  headed  girl  of  eighteen;  smart  enough  and 
good  enough  looking,  but  given  to  gush  and  a  pro- 
nounced giggler. 

This  girl,  who  had  gained  the  young  man's  prefer- 
ence, was  two  whole  years  younger  than  Mittie — a 
circumstance  which  caused  the  latter  to  feel  very 
much  like  an  old  maid,  and  probably  suggested  the 
doleful  analogy  between  herself  and  the  old  wreck. 

As  the  thread  continued  to  knot,  Mittie  continued 
to  frown,  until  she  suddenly  caught  a  reflection  of  her  face 
in  a  mirror.  What  a  fright  she  was  making  of  herself! 
Petulance  then  gave  way  to  more  tender  feelings  and 
she  began  to  cry.  She  couldn't  help  it  with  the  day  so 
dull  and  her  heart  so  heavy,  for  in  spite  of  her  linger- 
ing resentment  she  still  loved  Santa  truly,  devotedly, 
and  he  cared  naught  for  her. 

While  in  this  tearful  plight,  her  father,  Mike  Mc- 
Kay, entered  with  an  armful  of  firewood. 

j;A  March  fog^ 

Will  freeze  a  May  dog" — 

Sagely  quoted  the  old  man. 

"My,  what  nasty  weather!" 

He  was  damp  and  shivering  from  the  chill  fog 
without,  and  cramming  the  stove  with  wood  spread 
his  hands  in  front  of  the  open  hearth. 

"Hullo  there,  what's  the  matter?"  he  queried  catch- 
ing a  view  of  Mittie's  tear  stained  countenance. 

"Mourning  over  Santa  Smith,  Santa  l*Iariah  or 
some  other  Santa — as  1  live. 


n 


'at 


IV//A  T  THE  DRIFT  BROUGHT  ASHORE. 


303 


"No,  I  a'int," — she  replied  testily. 
"But  I  know  you  are." 

"Never  mourn  over  such  a  circumstance,  girl,  for 
don't  you  know — " 

'Theres  plenty  of  fish  in  the  sea, 
As  good  as  ever  were  caught." 

Seeing  that  the  subject  was  painful  to  his  daughter, 
Mike  thought  best  to  change  it. 

"Heigh  oh!  we're  getting  a  breeze  at  last.  Hear 
the  wind  roar.     Now  1  hope  the  fog  '11  lift." 

At  this  moment  the  sound  of  a  bell  was  borne  to  the 
ears  of  father  and  daughter.  It  was  a  church  bell  at 
the  port  a  mile  distant.  Its  tones  were  sonorous,  and  as 
it  continued  ringing  the  listeners  looked  inquisitively  at 
each  other. 

"Some  one  lost  in  the  fog,"  suggested  Mittie. 

"Must  be  so,"  returned  the  father. 

"Most  like  it's  the  mail  carrier  and  party.  Pete 
Mooney  said  the  mail  hadn't  arrived  yet  when  he  left 
the  harbor  and  it  was  then  two  hours  overdue.  Pete 
went  b}'  about  fifteen  minutes  ago." 

"The  carrier  had  a  compass  along,  of  course,  but 
what  with  the  currents  and  running  ice,  it  might  do 
him  little  good;  for  should  the  boat  drift  out  of  her 
course  so  as  to  miss  the  island,  the  compass  would  only 
guide  him  out  into  the  open  lake." 

"How  dreadful  to  be  lost  in  such  a  fog  and  the  ice 
a  running  and  night  coming  on,"  observed  Mittie 
with  a  shudder. 

An  early  twilight  was  perceptibly  deepening  the 
gloom  which  had  hung  all  day  long  over  land  and 
water;  and  the  prospects  of  a  night  of  blackness,  such  as 


■»,•; 


!•;. 


>s«fi 


304 


WHAT  THE  DRIFT  BROUGHT  ASHORE. 


Mi; 


U 


no  ^leam  of  beacon  light  could  penetrate,  served  to  in- 
crease the  anxiety  felt  by  Mike  McKay  and  his  dargh- 
ter  and  was  shared  by  most  of  the  dwellers  on  that 
lonely  isle.  It  was  now  definitely  known  that  the  car- 
rier and  party  were  astray  on  the  lake  and  what  might 
be  their  fate  none  could  determine. 

At  regular  intervals  the  bell  pealed  forth  its  signals, 
but  the  sound  fell  with  a  dirge-like  cadence. 

Vaguely  seen  through  the  fog-veil  and  darkness, 
trees,  rocks  and  other  objects  near  the  isolated  old 
dwelling  appeared  strangly  wierd  to  Mittie.  The 
naked  ribs  of  the  wrecked  schooner  suggested  the 
skeleton  of  some  huge  animal,  and  the  dead-white 
floes  piling  the  beach  reminded  her  of  marble  slabs 
and  shafts  swept  together  from  some  abandoned 
graveyard.  A  nameless  dread  possessed  her  and  a 
foreboding  which  she  could  not  control. 

In  hours  of  melancholy  such  as  these  Santa's  genial 
presence  had  often  cheered  the  motherless  girl  and 
dispersed  the  gloom  of  her  surroundings,  but  all  that 
was  now  in  the  past.  Her  lover  and  friend  had  left 
hvx  and  she  knew  not  where  he  then  was.  Some 
said  that  he  had  gone  to  Michigan,  there  to  remain  for 
a  year  or  more.  Had  he  been  on  the  opposite  side  of 
the  globe  he  could  not  have  seemed  more  distant . 

Darkness  came  on  apace  and  shut  out  the  fog 
phantoms.  The  wind  had  continued  to  freshen  until  it 
blew  a  gale,  and  the  gale  increased  until  it  blew  a  hur- 
ricane. This  caused  the  fog  to  lift  and  lights  became 
visible,  though  inky  blackness  covered  all  the  sky. 

In  more  than  one  cottage  on  Willow  Point  lamp- 
light gleamed  from  windows  looking  lakeward,  placed 


■  I 


WHAT  THE  DRIFT  BROUCHT  ASHORE. 


:]0- 


■VI 


there  by  anxious  watchers  with  the  hope  that  the  rays 
shed  abroad  nii^^ht  <jjuide  hindward  the  carrier's  craft, 
if  happily  it  wt-re  still  alloat  and  able  to  outride  the 
storm  and  crushinjr  ice. 

Within  the  McKay  abode  well  seasoned  driftwood 
crackled  briskly,  the  kitchen  stove  grew  ruddy  with 
heat  and  the  room  was  cozy  and  comfortable. 

Seated  at  a  table  Mittie  knit  lace,  but  showed  little 
inteieft  in  her  work. 

Mike  McKay  divided  his  attention  between  seme 
torn  gill  net  twine — which  he  was  stitching  up  with  a 
wooden  needle — and  the  weather.  The  old  man  felt 
anxious  concerning  the  missing  boat  and  opened  the 
door  many  times  to  scan  the  sky  and  the  tumultuous 
sea  rushing  on  the  beach.  The  wind's  howl  over  chim- 
ney and  tree  tops  and  the  crash  and  g».  ind  of  ice  on  the 
shore  were  terrific,  and  he  shook  his  head  as  he  calcu- 
lated the  slim  chances  of  any  boat  or  crew  on  such  a 
night. 

Nine  o'clock  was  late  bed  time  for  Mike  McKay; 
anxiety  '^ad  kept  him  up,  however,  until  after  that  time; 
but  reali  -^^g  the  futility  of  further  watching,  he  pre- 
pared to  retire,  lirst  repairing  to  ihe  beach  to  again 
look  at  the  lake. 

Ice  in  pulverized  masses  and  in  tloes  big  as  the  side 
of  a  house — tossed  up  by  the  waves — formed  a  wide, 
white  ridge  covering  all  the  beach  and  still  piling 
higher.  The  wind  blew  with  a  violence  which  the  old 
man  cared  not  to  withstand.  It  cut  his  face  and  chilled 
him  through. 

He  had  turned  toward  the  house,  when  above  the 
crash  and  roar  he  thought  he  heard    a  shout.     Very 


•  m\ 


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Hiotographic 

Sciences 

Corporation 


23  WIST  MAIN  STREET 

WEBSTER,  N.Y.  14580 

(716)  872-4503 


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irHA  T  THE  DRIFT  DROUGHT  ASHORE. 


faint  indet'd;  perhaps  he  was  mistaken  for  the  voices  of 
contending  elements  pitched  in  myriad  keys  strangely 
commingled  and  were  liable  to  deceive. 

Mike  was  about  to  enter  his  dwelling  when  he 
again  heard  an  outcry.  This  time  he  made  no  mistake. 
It  was  close  at  hand  and  came  from  the  lake.  Rush- 
ing into  the  house  he  hastil}  lighted  a  lantern  and  hur- 
ried to  the  beach  whither  he  was  quickly  followed  by 
his  daughter. 

Over  bristling  ridges  and  through  pommaced  heaps 
of  ice  they  clambered  until  near  the  line  where  break- 
ers gleamed  white  in  the  lantern's  glare.  At  a  short 
distance  from  shore  a  large  mass  of  ice  had  grounded 
upon  sunken  rocks,  and  through  the  gloom  was  dis- 
cerned the  outlines  of  a  boat  fast  upon  the  obstruction 
and  a  yeast  of  waves  breaking  over  it. 

"Hulloa  there!  Give  us  a  line — for  God's  sake  be 
quick ! " 

"Aye,  aye,"  answered  Mike. 

He  turned  to  Mittie. 

"Run  and  get  that  coil  of  rope  which  hangs  above 
the  locker.     Fly!     Your  limbs  are  more  supple  than 


mine. 


?» 


Mittie  started  on  her  errand,  instantly  returning 
with  a  long,  strong  rope  to  one  end  of  which  was  at- 
tached a  piece  of  lead. 

Having  given  the  signal,  Mike  with  well  directed 
r,im  Hung  the  lead  and  line  into  the  boat.  He  was  then 
directed  to  make  fast  the  shore  end,  which  he  did  by 
carrying  it  over  the  ice  ridge  and  tying  it  to  a  tree.  By 
this  means  the  boat  was  freed  from  her  precarious  sit- 
uation and  gotten  ashore,  but  would  have  been  crushed 


1^ 


WHA  T  THE  DRIFT  BROUGHT  ASHORE.        307 

in  the  operation  had  it  not  been  especially  built  for  con- 
tact v/ith  ice.  It  was  armored  with  steel  and  proved 
to  be  the  island  mail  boat.  After  a  hazardous  exper- 
ience the  carrier  and  his  assistants  had  sjained  the 
shore,  but  were  so  numbed  with  the  cold  wind  and 
dashing  spray  that  they  could  hardly  walk. 

"Come  right  up  to  my  house  !"  exclaimed  McKay 
hospitably. 

"No,  no,  not  yet,"  returned  the  carrier,  "We've 
lost  a  man  overboard— a  passenger — we  must  look  for 
him." 

"He  was  standing  at  the  stern,  helping  us  with  a 
pike  pole  to  shove  the  boat  off  yonder  rocks,  when  a 
big  wave  heavy  with  ice  drift  carried  him  into  the 
lake." 

"I'm  afraid  its  all  day  with  him.  He  was  nearly 
dead  from  cold  and  fatigue  before  he  went  over  and 
would  hardly  be  able  to  make  much  of  a  tight." 

"Who  was  the  man.^"  queried  Mike. 

"It  was  Santa  Smith." 

The  words  rang  confusedly  through  Mittie's  brain. 
She  was  dazed  but  uttered  no  sound,  and  only  for  an 
instant  paused  with  hands  uplifted. 

"Let  us  look  for  him,  let  us  find  him  !"  she  ex- 
claimed. 

The  wind  was  driving  everything  shoreward,  and 
dead  or  alive  the  man  might  be  brought  in  on  the 
breakers.  A  dark  object  floating  in  the  water  soon 
attracted  attention.  The  object  was  gotten  ashore.  It 
proved  to  be  the  inanimate  form  of  Santa  Smith. 

The  lantern  flashed  into  the  white,  upturned  face 
as  they  gathered  about  to  examine  the  body. 


i 


!'R 


'  m 


308 


WHAT  THE  DRIFT  BROUGHT  ASHORE. 


hil 


"He  is  dead,"  said  one  of  the  men  regretfully. 

"There  may  be  lite  in  him  yet,  bring  him  into  the 
houvse,"  suggested  McKay. 

Santa  was  stretched  upon  a  lounge,  vigorous 
stimulants  were  applied  to  the  skin  and  administered 
internally,  but  as  no  responsive  sign  was  visible  they 
sadly  shook  their  heads. 

Just  as  the  last  hope  had  been  abandoned,  how- 
ever, a  faint  movement  of  the  heart  was  detected. 
Efforts  were  renewed,  and  the  men  were  speedily 
cheered  by  indications  still  more  hopeful. 

Mittie  was  tremulous  with  emotion  as  she  flew 
about  procuring  towels,  blankets  and  other  articles 
called  for  by  the  workers. 

After  a  time  Santa  opened  his  eyes.  At  that  mo- 
ment Mittie  was  hovering  near;  the  first  face  that  he 
recognized  was  hers,  and  the  llrst  word  that  passed  his 
lips  was  her  name. 

She  came  near  and  in  a  moment  their  hands  were 
clasped  and  she  was  weeping  for  joy. 

The  carrier  and  his  men  had  now  performed  their 
part,  and  after  partaking  of  some  needed  refresh- 
ments, they  loaded  upon  a  wagon  procured  for  the 
purpose  the  U.  S.  mail  bags  and  other  matter  in  their 
possession,  and  hastened  on,  leaving  Mike  McKay  and 
his  daughter  to  nurse  the  resuscitated  Santa  into  full 
activity.  Said  the  young  man  when  he  and  the  girl 
were  alone: 

"I  was  on  my  way  home  with  the  mail  when  we 
got  astray  in  the  fog.  I  came  back  because  I  couldn't 
stay  any  longer  and  wanted  to  make  up  with  you — 
will  you  forgive  me?" 


fullv. 

ml 

tn  into  the 

vigorous 
ninistered 
sible  they 

ed,   how- 
detected, 
speedily 

she  flew 
r    articles 

that  mo- 
e  that  he 
)assed  his 


WHA  T  THE  DRIFT  BROUGHT  ASHORE. 


309 


"But  how  about  Stella  Pierce?" 

"O,  I  just  went  with  her  because  I  was  mad  at 
you  and  wanted  to  show  my  independence.  Stella 
knew  it  and  accepted  my  company  because  she 
thought  it  fun  to  make  you  jealous." 

"The  hussy!"  exclaimed  Mittie. 

"Will  you  forgive  me?" 

For  answer  Mittie  kissed  his  brow,  and  the  old 
sweet  confidence  was  restored. 


i 


nds  were 

led  their 

refresh- 

1   for  the 

r  in  their 

Kay  and 

into  full 

the  girl 

vhen  we 
couldn't 
h  you — 


i 


AN  ISLAND  **  FAMILY  ROBINSON/* 


:    1 


CHAPTER  I. 
Isolation 


A  mere  speck  on  the  bosom  of  Lake  Erie 
lay  the  little  island  where  opens  the  scene  of  our  story. 
It  contained  but  a  few  acres  and  the  rough  limestone 
which  girt  its  irregular  shores  was  carveninto  grotesque 
shapes  by  the  action  of  waves.  Huge  rocks  split 
off  from  shore  lifted  their  heads  capped  by  gnarled 
cedars,  the  roots  of  which  had  taken  so  firm  a  hold  that 
the  fierce  storms  of  wind  and  dashing  surf  had  seemed 
to  render  them  only  more  tenacious.  Straggling  trees 
and  low  scrubby  bushes  feathered  the  shores  and  in 
many  places  overhung  them,  ' 

From  the  far  mainland  shores  west  and  north,  blue 
lying  in  the  hazy  distance,  to  eastward,  far  as  the  eye 
^  could  reach,  stretched  the  great  ice  plains,  undulating 
and  rough  with  their  white  and  grey  drift  piled  in  con- 
fused masses.  The  scene  presented  was  at  once  grand, 
yet  bleak  and  desolate. 

In  the  center  of  the  island  was  a  single  dwelling 
sheltered  from  raking  winds  by  a  thicket  of  trees. 
Within  a  cove,  approached  by  a  rocky  path,  stood  a 
roughly  built  shanty  used  for  storing  nets,  buoys,  ropes 
and  other  articles  belonging  to  fishermen's  tackle,  and 
drawn  up  on  the  beach  lay  a  boat.  These  two 
buildings  were  all  that  the  island  contained.      Its  in- 


AN  /SLAXD  ^'FAMILV  ROBLXSOXr 


yJl 


DN/' 


ke  Erie 
ur  story, 
limestone 
grotesque 
:ks  split 
'  gnarled 
hold  that 
i  seemed 
ing  trees 
s  and  in 

rth,  blue 
s  the  eye 
dulating 
i  in  con- 
e  grand, 

dwelling 
3f  trees, 
stood  a 
■  s,  ropes 
kle,  and 
se  two 
Its   in- 


habitants were  a  fitjhcrman,  William  Gerald,  and 
family  consisting  of  a  wife,  a  grown  daughter  and  a 
little  child.  A  man  who  had  been  employed  to  assist 
in  fishing  operations  dur'ng  the  preceding  autumn  lived 
with  them. 

None  of  the  adjacent  islands  were  at  that  time  inhab- 
ited and  very  often  in  stormy  weather  and  when  the  ice 
was  unsafe  these  people  were  entirely  cut  off  from  the 
world  and  communication  therewith.  Though  they  had 
suffered  many  disadvantages  and  even  hardships  and 
had  resolved  never  to  spend  another  winter  on  the  lonely 
spot,  yet  undoubtedly  they  had  been  as  happy  and  as 
contented  as  mankind  in  general. 

However,  a  shadow  had  crossed  the  cottage  thres- 
hold and  darkened  its  hearthstone.  Little  Charley,  the 
pet  of  the  household,  was  taken  suddenly  ill.  The 
anxious  parents  did  all  that  lay  in  their  power, 
administering  such  medicines  as  they  had,  which 
they  thought  might  prove  beneficial,  but  their  efforts 
were  unavailing  and  the  boy  grew  rapidly  worse. 

«  "In  the  morning,"  said  Gerald — for  the  child  was 
taken  ill  in  the  night — "In  the  morning  I  will  start  for 
the  mainland  and  try  to  procure  a  doctor." 

"I  fear  that  it  will  be  hard  to  find  a  doctor  willing 
to  risk  traveling  so  far  upon  the  ice,"  replied  the  wife. 

"I  do  not  think  the  risk  great,  as  the  ice  appears 
quite  solid,"  answered  the  husband. 

When,  however,  the  first  beams  of  the  winter  sun 
illuminated  the  eastern  verge  of  the  great  ice  plains  and 
shone  through  the  cedars  into  the  window,  they  fel^ 
upon  the  rigid  face  of  a  dead  child.  Little  Charley  had 
breathed  his  last. 


Nil 


312 


AiV  ISLAND  ''FAAflLV  fWB/NSON: 


B     ;   '  i    1 


i!P    \ 


The  parents  were  stricken  with  grief.  Isolated  as 
they  were,  death  had  found  and  had  borne  away  almost 
without  warninix  their  treasure. 

Long  and  dreary  was  the  day  following  that  night 
of  anxious  watching  by  the  bedside  of  sickness  and  of 
death.  The  sun  veiled  itself  in  clouds  and  the  skies 
bent  in  cold  solemnity.  Dressed  in  a  robe  of  spotless 
white  the  dead  child  lay  in  his  crib.  The  room  was 
partially  darkened  and  through  the  house,  which  had 
echoed  his  ringing  laugh  and  childish  prattle,  reigned 
a  silence  unbroken  save  bv  soft  footfalls  and  low  voices, 
mingled  with  a  sound  of  weeping. 

To  the  hearts  of  the  mourning  parents  now  came  the 
question : 

"Where  shall  we  find  a  grave  for  our  boy?" 

"Shall  we  bury  him  in  this  desert  little  isle  which 
holds  no  other  grave  and  leave  it  alone  and  neg- 
lected with  only  the  rdin  and  dew  to  weep  over  it, 
and  the  voice  of  wind  and  wave  alone  hushing  it  to  the 
sleep  that  waketh  not?" 

"No,"  the  thought  was  unbearable.  Then  they  re-* 
membered  a  burial  site  with  white  headstones,  envir- 
oned amidst  shrubbery,  flowers  and  drooping  willows 
across  on  the  Canadian  main  where  rested  friends  and 
relatives.  In  this  spot  they  resolved  to  inter  the  re- 
mains of  little  Charley. 

"If  we  carry  him  to  A ,"  observed  Mr.  Gerald, 

it  will  be  necessary  to  set  out  as  soon  as  possible.  The 
trip  over  and  back  will  take  two  days.  The  ice  seems 
solid,  but  it  is  uncertain  how  long  it  will  remain  so." 

"Reuben  will  be  ready  and  willing  to  accompany 
me  and  I  think  it  best  to  start  early  tomorrow  morning." 


ted  as 
almost 

t  night 
and  of 
e  skies 
potless 
m  was 
:h  had 
eigned 
voices, 

ime  the 


which 
d  neg- 
v^er   it, 

to  the 

ley  re-' 

envir- 

iliows 

ds  and 

le  re- 

ferald, 
The 
seems 

50." 

iipany 


n 


ling 


» 


AN  ISLAND  ''FAMILY  ROB FNSONr 


313 


"I  hardly  dare  think  of  your  going.  Whrt  if  any- 
thing should  happen  you?"  said  Mrs.  Gerald.  Then 
she  thought  of  the  void  soon  to  he  made  by  the  removal 
of  little  Charley. 

"Oh !  how  desolate  would  be  the  darkened  home." 

Mingled  with  her  grief  were  misgivings  con- 
cerning the  safety  of  her  husband,  such  as  she 
had  never  before  felt,  for  she  was  a  courageous 
woman  and  seldom  gave  way  to  feelings  of  timidity. 
Long  hours  must  elapse  before  she  should  again  see  her 
husband.  He  would  be  exposed  to  danger  in  crossing 
the  bleak  ice  desert,  yet  this  danger  would  not  be 
greater  than  others  to  which  he  had  often  been  exposed 
on  previous  occasions.  Calling  to  the  test  all  her  forti- 
tude, she  refused  to  listen  to  the  promptings  of  fears 
which  she  endeavored  to  persuade  herself  were  ground- 
less, and  quietly  acquiesced  in  her  husband's  plans. 

A  strange  funeral  procession  was  that  which  early 
the  next  morninjj  moved  from  the  door  of  the  fisher- 
man's  home  down  to  the  cove  where  lay  the  boat.  In 
his  arms  Gerald  carried  the  dead  child,  wrapped  in  a 
blanket.  He  was  followed  by  his  wife  and  daughter 
and  his  hired  man,  Reuben  Starr. 

The  boat  had  been  provided  with  runners  and  ropes 
fastened  to  the  bow,  so  that  it  could  be  drawn  like  a 
hand  sled.  Reuben  Starr  carried  a  small  box  which  he 
placed  in  the  boat's  stern,  and  within  it  was  laid  the 
body.  The  Httle  group  gathered  around  it  and  re- 
mained standing  for  a  few  minutes,  while  the  mother 
and  sister  took  a  last  look  at  the  dead  boy.  Tears 
flowed  freely  and  the  silence  of  the  parting  was  broken 
only   by   sobs.     Tiie   sky  was  covered  with  sombre 


%} 


i 


' 


i^i 


fl 


•i  ^ 


ii 


\'  n 


314 


/1X  ISLAND  ''FAMILY  RQIilA'SONr 


clouds;  a  settled  gloom  rested  upon  the  underlying 
shores  and  pervaded  the  hearts  of  the  stricken  family. 
The  little  face  was  then  covered  away  from  sight. 

With  a  few  parting  words  to  those  left  behind  Ger- 
ald took  his  place  beside  Reuben  Starr,  who  held  the 
ropes,  and  together  they  set  forward  drawing  between 
them  the  boat  and  its  burden.  Once  again  an  indefin- 
able dread  of  some  ill  befalling  the  two  adventurers  took 
possession  of  Mrs.  Gerald  and  divided  the  grief  she  felt 
at  the  death  of  her  child.  She  said  nothing  to  her 
daughter  in  regard  to  these  feelings  and  sought  to  drive 
them  from  her  mind. 

Over  the  lake  toiled  the  two  men.  There  were 
smooth,  slippery  places  where  the  ice  looked  blue  and 
firm.  Then  they  c  ime  to  narrow  seams  where 
water  appeared.  In  one  place  a  long  rift  of  open  water 
about  fifty  feet  wide  obstructed  the  way.  Here  they 
were  obliged  to  launch  the  boat  and  pull  across  to  the 
opposite  side.  In  some  places  great  cakes  of  ice  lay 
heaped  in  confused  masses.  At  other  points  they  were 
gorged  together  in  shattered,  splintered  confusion. 

Meantime  the  clouds  grew  darker  and  the  air 
warmer.  Gerald,  with  a  slight  feeling  of  uneasiness., 
glanced  at  the  lowering  sky,  while  Reuben  wet  his 
finger  and  held  it  up  in  the  wind  to  note    its  direction. 

"1  wish  that  we  had  brought  a  pocket  compass," 
observed  the  latter. 

Gerald  made  no  reply  and  the  men  pushed  forward 
as  rapidly  as  the  peculiar  roughness  of  the  way  and  the 
dragging  weight  of  the  boat  would  permit,  toward  the 
faint,  blue  line  which  marked  the  Canadian  shores. 
However,  the  men  were   apprehensive  of  a   danger 


? 


AN  r^LAND  ''FAMILY  ROBINSON:' 


315 


:lerlying 
family. 
It. 

ind  Ger- 
leld  the 
between 
indefin- 
ers  took 
[  she  felt 
I  to  her 
to  drive 

ire  were 
blue  and 
J  where 
en  water 
t?re  they 
ss  to  the 
:  ice  lay 
ley  were 
ion. 

the  air 
asiness, 
wet  his 
irection. 


mpass 


5> 


orward 

and  the 

t^ard  the 

shores. 

danger 


which  those  of  less  experience  might  not  have  foreseen. 
The  wind  was  not  blowing  hard,  but  it  had  changed 
from  the  northeast  to  due  west  and  the  dense,  black 
clouds  along  the  western  horizon  had  turned  to  a  whitish 
grey.  There  were  indications  of  a  storm.  Nearly 
three  hours  had  they  been  on  their  way  and  the  shores 
of  the  island  were  growing  dim  m  the  distance.  Once 
they  stopped  and  deliberated  as  to  whether  they  had 
not  better  abandon  the  undertaking.  Gerald  seemed 
inclined  to  turn  back,  but  Reuben  Starr,  who  was  an 
old  sailor  and  had  roughed  it  for  many  a  year,  insisted 
upon  going  forward.  He  had  become  hardened  by  ex- 
posure, was  reckless  of  danger  and  his  reputation  for 
bravery  was  now  at  stake.  After  a  moment's  hesitation 
Gerald  yielded  to  the  old  sailor's  wishes  and  again  they 
pressed  forward  with  an  energy  that  brought  the  per- 
spiration to  their  faces. 

Suddenly  the  wind  arose.  The  heavy,  grey  clouds 
swept  up  from  the  horizon  in  a  solid  body,  preceded  by 
clouds  as  black  as  night,  broken  and  flying  m  wild  con- 
fusion. 

"Look  yonder!"  exclaimed  Gerald,  pointing  west- 
ward. 

A  dense,  filmy  line  of  snow  was  sweeping  toward 
them  over  the  lake.  The  men  came  to  a  sudden  stop. 
Gerald's  face  was  pale  and  anxious,  and  that  of  his 
companion  showed  deeper  concern  than  he  cared  to 
express  in  words.  In  a  few  moments  the  storm  burst 
upon  them.  The  air  was  filled  with  whirling  snow 
flakes  driven  before  the  fierce  blast.  It  enveloped  them 
as  with  a  shroud.  The  island  which  they  had  left  be- 
hind and  the  shore  line  toward  which  they  had  traveled 


li 


*I3 


I 


31G 


AN  ISLAND  ''FAMILY  KOHINSON:' 


HI 


! 

I 


I  \ 


i 


'; 


11 


I 


were  entirely  blotted  from  view.  Not  a  point  or  land- 
mark remained  wliereby  they  could  determine  their 
course. 

"If  we  only  had  brought  a  compass,'*  repeated  Reu- 
ben, but  they  had  not  and  now  what  was  to  be  done?  If 
they  journeyed  on  without  a  guide  they  would  in  all  pro- 
bability lose  the  direction  of  the  shore  and  perhaps  wan- 
der from  the  confines  of  the  island?-  out  toward  the 
open  sea.  They  dt  ;ided  to  remain  where  they  were. 
The  storm  might  soon  abate  and  they  could  then  pro- 
ceed. But  there  were  no  indications  of  the  storm 
abating.  Not  a  break  appeared  in  the  solid  mass  of 
clcuds  that  covered  the  sky.  The  wind  blew  a  steady 
gale.  Their  situation  was  becoming  perilous,  for  if  the 
wind  continued  at  its  present  violence  the  ice  was  liable 
to  part  and  break  up  jit  any  time.  A  knowledge  of 
this  fact  was  the  principal  cause  of  anxiety  on  the  part 
of  the  two  men. 

Buttoning  closely  about  them  their  overcoats  they 
seated  themselves  on  the  edge  of  the  boat.  Having 
eaten  nothing  since  early  moining,  Gerald  opened  a 
basket  he  had  brought  with  him  containing  provisions, 
set  it  between  them,  and  the  two  partook  of  its  con- 
tents in  silence.  With  the  snow  whirling  around  them 
they  finished  their  repast,  after  which  the  time  was  oc- 
cupied in  watching  the  sky  and  in  pacing  backward 
and  forward  near  the  boat's  side.  The  hoars  dragged 
wearily,  and  impatient  of  their  length,  Reuben  asked 
for  the  time.  Gerald  took  out  his  watch.  It  was  just 
half  past  two.  Dropping  it  into  his  pocket,  he  once 
more  glanced  at  the  sky.  It  looked  sullen  and  the  wind 
was  increasing. 


L  or  land- 
line  their 

ted  Reu- 
done?  If 
in  all  pro- 
aps  wan- 
ward  the 
ley  were, 
hen  pro- 
le storm 
mass  of 
a  steady 
,  for  if  the 
MAS  liable 
/ledge  of 
I  the  part 

)ats  they 
Having 

opened  a 

©visions, 
its  con- 

md  them 
was  oc- 

ackward 
dragged 

in  asked 
was  just 
he  once 

the  wind 


/1.V  :sLANn  ''FA.\f/L  V  Ron/xsoxr  317 

CHAPTER  II. 
In  the  Clutch  of  the  Tempest. 

The  winter  days  wire  short,  and  by  live  o'clock  it 
would  be  dark.  Had  the  storm  then  cleared  the  re- 
mainder of  the  afternoon  would  not  have  been  more 
than  sulllcent  for  them  to  have  reached  their  destin- 
ation. WHiat  if  it  continued  snowing,  and  they  should 
be  compelled  to  remain  all  night  in  their  present  ex- 
posed situation.  With  such  a  wind  it  seemed  no  ques- 
tion with  Gerald  but  that  the  ice  must  break  up  be- 
fore morning. 

"Should  the  snow  cease  falling  might  they  not  be 
able  even  in  the  dark  to  find  their  way  by  the  aid  of 
some  friendly  light,"  was  the  thought  of  Gerald.  Then 
he  remembered  how  wild  was  that  portion  of  the  Can- 
adian shore,  and  how  few  inhabitants  it  contained.  He 
could  not  remember  having  ever  seen  a  light  upon  them. 
Gerald  glanced  at  the  snow  covered  heap  in  the  stern 
of  the  boat,  thought  of  his  dead  child,  and  wondered 
if  they  might  not  find  a  grave  together  in  the  cruel 
waters  that  lay  beneath. 

Still  the  snow  descended,  the  wind  increased  and 
hope  grew  faint  in  the  hearts  of  the  solitary  watchers. 

The  suspense  became  unendurable. 

"It  seems  useless  to  wait,"  said  Gerald.  There 
may  be  a  chance  of  making  land  at  some  point,  and  if 
we  do  not,  we  can  certainly  make  our  situation  no 
worse  than  it  is. 

Reuben  expressed  the  same  opinion,  and  they  con- 
tinued on  in  the  direction  towards  which  the  boat  still 
headed,   but  as  to  whether  they  kept  their  course  or 


% 


'If  j'l 


;S 


,(  ! 


li    Mi 


.:!P 


!;' 


I  ; 


Sj 


318 


AN  ISLAND  ''FAMILY  ROBINSONr 


gradually  deviated  and  wandered  from  it  they  never 
knew. 

Wearily  onward  they  trudged  through  the  snow 
which  was  getting  quite  deep,  but  thought  not  of  rest, 
nor  lingered  for  a  moment.  The  increasing  gloom 
warned  them  that  night  was  coming  on.  Thick  and 
fast  fell  the  shades.  They  stumbled  blindly  over 
rough  surfaces,  with  the  relentless  flakes  flying  about 
them  like  vultures.  Who  could  tell,  perhaps  each 
moment  bore  them  farther  away  from  the  shore  which 
they  were  striving  to  reach,  out  toward  the  open  where 
storm  and  darkness  centered. 

Suddenly,  an  ominous  grinding  roar  was  heard. 
The  men  glanced  quickly  at  each  other  and  stopped  to 
listen.     Again  the  sound  was  repeated. 

"It  is  coming,"  said  Gerald. 

•'We  may  as  well  prepare  for  the  worst." 

Night  impenetrable  with  snow,  and  darkness  shut 
in  this  desolate  scene.  The  demons  of  the  storm  were 
abroad  and  unrestrained  were  their  orgies.  The 
travelers  had  come  to  a  dead  halt,  when  they  felt  the 
ice  lift  beneath  their  feet.  There  were  grating, 
crushing  noises  upon  every  side.  The  worst  had  come. 
The  ice  had  parted  and  they  were  adrift. 

Reuben  seized  a  hammer,  loosened  the  temporary 
runners  from  the  boat,  and  got  it  in  readiness  for  use 
at  a  moment's  notice.  The  din  of  crashing  ice  grew 
louder.  They  could  not  determine  the  size  of  the  floe 
upon  which  they  stood,  but  it  was  moving  rapidly;  ris- 
ing, falling,  quivering  beneath  them,  like  the  deck  of  a 
storm  tosbed  vessel.  They  drifted  for  an  hour  or  more 
when  the  floe  upon  which  they  were,  broke,  but  a  com- 


AN  ISLAND  ''FAMILY  Robinson:' 


319 


2y  never 

he  snow 
:  of  rest, 
jf  gloom 
lick  and 
lly  over 
g  about 
ps  each 
e  which 
n  where 

5  heard. 
3pped  to 


;ss  shut 
rm  were 
The 

felt  the 
grating, 

d  come. 

nporary 
for  use 
e  grew 
the  floe 
dly ;  ris- 
tjck  of  a 
or  more 
t  a  com- 


paratively small  piece  holding  intact.  They  took  their 
places  at  the  oars,  and  prepared  for  a  contest  with  the 
crushing  ice  and  thundering  waves.  Showers  of  spray 
tilled  the  air.  They  were  lifted  upon  the  crest  of  a  gi- 
gantic billow,  then  plunged  again  into  the  trough  of  the 
sea.  The  remainder  of  the  floe  was  shivered  to  pieces 
and  the  boat  nearly  capsized.  When  it  righted  again 
they  were  tossing  in  the  midst  of  the  waves. 

It  would  be  f.ifficult  to  describe  the  fierce  struggle 
that  ensued,  or  to  recount  the  horrors  of  the  long  night 
that  followed,  durmg  which  the  frail  boat  was  driven 
by  the  tempest  and  threatened  momentarily  with  de- 
struction by  the  drifting  ice.  As  by  a  miracle,  how- 
ever, they  weathered  the  storm  until  the  dawn  of 
morning.  About  mid-night  the  snow  had  ceased 
falling,  and  stars  came  out  into  the  sk}-,  but  the  wind 
continued  blowing  as  furiously  as  ever.  They  had 
been  drifting  with  the  ice  down  the  lake  all  night;  and 
now  clearly  outlined  made  out  the  rough,  dark  shores 
of  a  projecting  headland  some  two  miles  distant. 

The  oil  suits  of  the  two  men  were  covered  thick 
with  frozen  spray.  The  water  had  penetrated  their 
undergarments,  they  were  numbed  with  cold,  and  al- 
most exhausted.  With  their  fast  failing  strength  was 
it  possible  to  pull  through  the  gleaming  white  breakers 
and  icv  drift  and  reach  shore?  The  wind  was  in  their 
favor,  though  the  sea  was  tremendous.  Sighting 
a  low  sandy  beach  indenting  a  line  of  broken  rocks, 
they  exerted  all  their  remaining  strength,  and  pulled 
towards  it.  About  half  the  distance  was  accomplish- 
ed, when  they  were  struck  by  a  huge  wave,  ice  loaded. 
There   was   a  crash,  and  the  shattered  boat  capsized. 


'•i\ 


820 


AN  ISLAND  ''FA MFLY  ROBINSON: 


'    ;l 


I-'!     ' 


A  cry  rose  from  the  water.     The  men  were  struggling 
m  the  merciless  waves. 

Gerald  seized  the  railing  of  the  boat  and  looked 
for  his  companion,  but  saw  only  the  shrouded  form  of 
his  dead  child  float  away  and  disappear  beneath  the 
waves.  The  stark,  white  face  was  tjrnid  towards 
him,  and  in  that  instant  Gerald  realized  that  the  living 
and  the  dead  had  alike  found  graves  beneath  the 
relentless  waves.  A  chill  of  horror  froze  the  blood  in 
his  veins  and  his  heart  stood  still.  He  clutched  the 
boat  with  both  hands,  and  his  stiffening  lingers  held  on 
with  the  terrible  grip  of  the  drowning.  Blindness 
came  over  him.  A  confused  din  was  in  his  ears  which 
growing  fainter  died  away.     Gerald  was  unconscious. 

^^  '^  'i^  ^^  ^^  ^^ 

On   the  etremity  of  L Point  stood  a  hut  where 

lived  an  aged  hermit.  The  morning  after  the  storm  the 
old  man  had  risen  early  and  repaired  to  the  shore  for 
a  pail  of  water.  The  rocks  were  high  and  the  waves 
beat  up  against  their  base.  With  a  rope  he  let  down 
the  pail  and  drew  it  up  tilled  with  water.  He  set  it 
down  for  a  moment  to  watch  the  driving  surf,  when 
his  attention  was  attracted  by  a  broken  boat  washed 
upon  a  narrow  beach  at  the  foot  of  the  cliffs.  A  strange, 
dark  object  was  fastened  to  it.  Clambering  down  the 
icy  rocks,  he  approached  the  boat. 

Clinging  to  it  with  both  hands  was  the  apparently 

lifeless  body  of  a  man.     On  examination,  thi    old  man 

thought  that  he  detected  a  faint  flutter  about  the  heart 

indicating  that  life  was  not  altogether  extinct.     There 

was  an  ugly  cut  on  the  side  of  the  head,  and  blood  had 

frozen  in  the  hair. 

He  unfastened  the  closely  locked  fingers  from  the 


n 


uggling 

I  looked 
form  of 
ath  the 
towards 
e  living 
aih  the 
blood  in 
hfd  the 
held  on 
lindness 
s  which 
iscious. 

t  where 
orm  the 
lore  for 
;  waves 
t  down 
ti  set  it 
,  when 
vashed 
t  range, 
wn  the 

irently 
d  man 
i  heart 
There 
od  had 

im  the 


AN  ISLAND  ''FAMILY  ROBINSON:' 


321 


boat,  and  half  carried,  half  dragged  the  man  up  the 
rocks,  stopping  at  intervals  to  rest  for  the  ascent  was 
laborious. 

A  hot  fire  blazed  on  the  cabin  hearth,  and  the  old 
man  laid  his  burden  on  a  couch  close  beside  it.  For 
some  time  he  worked  over  his  charge,  using  every  re- 
storative at  command,  and  by  degrees  the  patient  re- 
vived and  began  breathing  regularly.  He  opened  feebly 
his  eyes  and  spoke  a  few  words,  but  they  were  discon- 
nected and  denoted  mental  derangement.  For  twelve 
weeks  William  Gerald  —for  he  it  was — lay  in  a  critical 
condition,  suffering  from  injuries  that  threatened  both 
life  and  reason.  He  raved  day  and  night,  and  talked  in- 
cessa   ♦ly  and  incoherently. 

At  last  there  came  a  lime  when  the  fevered  state  of 
his  mini,  grew  more  calm,  and  a  deep,  long  sleep  sue" 
ceei  ed.  When  he  awoke,  reason  was  restored  and 
with  it  the  remembrance  of  events  which  had  occurred* 
and  through  which  he  had  btien  brought  to  his  present 
condition.  His  first  inquiry  was  for  Reuben  Starr,  but 
they  could  tell  him  nothing  concerning  his  companion's 
fated. 

On  the  following  day  a  child's  remains,  with  the 
tattered  fragments  of  a  white  shroud  clinging  to  them 
were  washed  ashore.  They  were  brought  to  the  cabin^ 
and  although  much  disfigured  were  recognized  by 
Gerald  as  those  of  little  Charley,  and  subsequently 
buried  in  a  little  graveyard  on  the  point. 

Despite  his  restlessness,  the  invalid  grew  stronger 
each  day,  for  he  was  deeply  concerned  about  his  wife 
and  daughter  alone  and  in  exile  all  those  dreary  weeks 
and  months. 


;;i! 


»■ 


r?  \!k 


n 


'; 


ij 


i 


I  > 


1: 


•i:= 


i'- 


|(i 


, 


r 


!il 


322 


AJV  ISLAND  ''FAMILY  ROBINSONr 


Yielding  to  tl  e  continued  petitions  of  his  patient, 
the  attending  physcian  gave  liim  permission  at  last  to 
return  to  his  island  home,  after  cautioning  him  to  be 
very  careful. 

Before  starting,  Gerald  visited  the  new  made  grave 
and  planted  flowers  upon  it  and  a  tree  at  its  head,  for 
spring  had  come. 

r^  ^^  ^W  ^W  ^^  'I* 

The  anxiety  and  suspense  endured  by  the  tv^o 
women  in  their  lonely  situation  during  those  long,  winter 
months,  can  well  be  imagined. 

The  terrible  snow-storm,  with  the  breaking  up  of 
the  ice  coming  when  ii  did,  had  aroused  serious  appre- 
hension for  the  safety  of  the  absent  ones. 

As  days  went  by  and  weeks  succeeded,  the  fears 
that  haunted  the  two  women  increased.  That  the 
men  were  lost  in  the  ice  grew  into  an  awful  certainty. 
Had  they  been  living  they  could  and  would  have  re- 
turned. All  hope  of  ever  seeing  her  husband  died 
from  the  heart  of  Mrs.  Gerald,  and  now  as  their 
winter's  stock  of  provisions  was  nearly  exhausted, how 
were  they  to  obtain  help?  Not  a  sail  as  yet  had  come* 
near. 

One  bright  May  morning  at  last,  on  glancing  from 
the  window,  Mrs.  Gerald  sighted  a  small  schooner 
standing  directly  for  the  island.  She  was  overjoyed, 
but  after  a  moment's  reflection  concluded  that  the  ves_ 
sel  must  be  on  a  long  tack  and  would  soon  shift  her 
course.  Fastening  a  white  cloth  to  a  pole  the  woman 
rail  to  the  shore,  determined,  if  possible,  to  signal  those 
on  board.  The  schooner  was  still  several  miles  distant, 
but  the  wind  was  fair  and  blowing  fresh  and  sharp  and 


AN  ISLAND  ''FAMILY  ROBINSONr 


323 


I 
liil 


patient, 
t  last  to 
n  to  be 

i  grave 
iad,  for 

le  two 
,  winter 

g  up  of 
appre- 

le  fears 
hat  the 
jrtainty. 
ave  re- 
id  died 
s  their 
d,how 
\  come' 

g  from 
:hooner 
:rjoyed, 
he  ves_ 
lift  her 
woman 
il  those 
distant, 
arp  and 


she  bore  down  without  deviating  a  single  point.  In  a 
short  time  she  lay  just  off  the  island.  The  white  cloth 
fluttered  from  shore.  The  vessel  hove  to,  let  go 
her  anchor  and  lowering  a  boat,  a  number  of  men 
cHmbed  into  it  and  pulled  for  the  island. 

Did  her  eyes  deceive  her?  Who  was  the  man  in 
the  bow  of  the  yawl  bearing  so  strong  a  resemblance 
to  her  dead  husband?  With  her  daughter  she  hurried 
to  the  spot  where  the  boat  was  about  to  land.  As  it 
touched,  the  man  in  the  bow  sprang  ashore. 

"William!"  Mrs.  Gerald  rushed  toward  her  hus- 
band— for  it  was  he — and  fell  fainting  into  his  arms. 

Gerald  had  taken  passage  on  a  vessel  bound  for  the 
upper  lakes.  Having  previously  stated  his  story  to  the 
kind  hearted  captain,  the  latter,  touched  with  sym- 
pathy, agreed  to  land  him  upon  this  island,  although  it 
lay  wide  of  the  vessel's  course.  However,  the  joy  of 
the  meeting  between  those  so  long  separated  by  cir- 
cumstances, so  fraught  with  danger  and  uncertainty, 
more  than  compensated  the  good  captain  for  his  trouble- 
As  soon  as  he  could  make  the  necessary  arrange- 
ments, William  Gerald  removed  his  family  and  effects  to 
Canada.  Trusting  no  longer  to  the  uncertain  chances 
of  wind  and  wave,  he  became  a  well-to-do  farmer. 
The  family  liv'ed  happy  and  contented  among  relatives 
and  friends,  but  the  recollection  of  experiences  here 
narrated  sometimes  came  back  in  hideous  night-mare 
forms  to  haunt  their  sleeping  visions. 

Since  then  many  a  long  year  has  passed.  Times 
have  changed  and  life  seems  everywhere;  yet,  lying  on 
the  bosom  of  this  inland  sea,  the  little  island  remains 
the  same  isolated  speck,  lonely  and  desolate  as  of  yore. 


if 


iil     ' 


ill 


1       i 

11 


\m  \ 


I 


ii? 


CASTAWAY. 

A  Story  of  Rattlesnake  Island* 

It  is  remarkable  what  large  sized  romances  small 
bits  of  territory  are  capable  of  producing  under  fav^orable 
conditions.  Though  containing  but  ten  or  twelve  acres, 
Rattle><nake  island  forms  the  scene  of  quite  an  interest- 
ing episode  along  this  line. 

The  island  lies  about  two  miles  to  the  northeast  of 
Put-in-Bay.  Its  surface,  partially  covered  with  forest 
fringe  and  red  cedar,  is  broken  by  outcropping  beds  of 
limestone.  In  shape  it  is  elongated  with  a  hump  in 
the  middle,  and  two  islets — mere  dots — at  the  tail  end, 
known  as  the  "rattles."  Viewed  from  a  distance,  a 
lively  imagination  may  readily  resolve  this  dark  couch- 
ant  body  of  land  outlined  againsi  the  turquoise  blue  of. 
Erie  into  a  gigantic  rattlesnake,  with  head  erect  and 
rattles  in  working  order.  From  its  peculiar  form- 
ation the  island  is  generally  supposed  to  hav^e  derived 
its  name,  though  some  assert  that  the  appellation  was 
bestowed  in  consequence  of  the  illimitable  quantities  of 
rattlesnakes  which  rendezvoused  in  and  among  the 
creviced  and  broken  rocks.  From  these  fastnesses 
they  were  wont  to  wriggle  forth  into  aggressive  promi- 
nence, hissing  and  clicking  their  spite,  and  whipping 
the  earth  and  surrounding  vegetation,  until  everything 
looked  blue.  Many  "vets"  were  numbered  among 
the  reptilian  hosts,  regular  old  sockers  with   whole 


CASTA  IV A  V. 


325 


Strings  of  rattles.  So  thick  were  they  it  is  avowed  — 
that  a  man  couldn't  walk  without  treading  upon  three 
or  four  of  the  "varmints"  at  every  step — this  in  the 
halcyon  days  of  yore.  At  a  later  date  the  enterprising 
community  of  snakes  here  represented  materially  les- 
sened in  numbers,  until  comparatively  few  remain  to 
adorn  the  spot  named  in  their  honor. 

An  able  accessory  in  the  dispersion  of  this  reptile 
colony  was  undoubtedly  vested  in  the  brawn  and 
muscle  of  the  proprietor,  whom  for  convenience  we  will 
call  "Hank  Smith,"  who  with  his  family  located  on  the 
island.  Old  Hank  wasn't  afraid  of  rattlesnakes  evi- 
dently, and  prided  himself  manifestly  on  owning  and 
occupying  with  his  household  gods  a  whole  island, 
which  if  not  very  big,  was  at  least  far  enough  re- 
moved from  adjacent  isles  to  afford  ample  seclusion. 
So  at  least  he  imagined,  and  so  in  reality  it  might 
have  proven  but  for  the  obstrusive  fact  that  the  old 
codger  possessed  several  comely  daughters,  and  since 
"love  laughs  at  locksmiths,"  traverses  distances  im- 
measurable and  achieves  impossibilities  of  all  sorts, 
this  blind  but  ever  active  imp  was  not  long  in  finding 
his  way  to  Rattlesnake  island. 

Celia,  the  eldest,  was  an  attractive  maiden  with 
eyes  that  matched  the  color  of  the  sea  and  sky  and 
hair  a  fluff  of  golden  brown.  She  was  lithe  and  active, 
free  and  fearless,  revelling  like  a  duck  in  adventures  on 
the  water.  She  was  an  expert  at  fishing  and  fowling, 
could  manipulate  a  pair  of  oars  with  admirable  skill, 
and  with  a  light  skiff  was  accustomed  to  cross  fre- 
quently the  two  miles  stretch  that  intervened  between 
Rattlesnake  and  Put-in-Bay. 


'■'I 


326 


CASTA  WAV. 


Ill 


ji 


At  the  latter  place  she  speedily  became  the  attrac- 
tion of  a  youthful  fisherman  who  crossed  her  path — 
whom  we  will  call  Tom  Taylor.  After  this  there  was 
no  more  peace  for  Rattlesnake.  From  time  to  time  it 
was  haunted  by  a  spectral  sail  which  circled  about 
the  island,  edging  nearer  and  nearer  at  each  cruise, 
until  one  day  it  lay  beached  close  by  the  "grout" 
house  of  Hank  Smith.  At  beck  of  the  little  winged 
god  Tom  Taylor  and  his  boat  had  followed  the  charmer 
to  her  rocky  retreat.  This  being  his  first  experience  in 
courtship,  however,  Tom  proved  a  bit  fresh  and  his 
bashfulness  vvas  excruciating.  His  feeble  advances 
were  regarded  with  apparent  disfavor,  the  coy  maiden 
turning  a  deaf  ear  to  his  importunities,  until  in  blank 
despair  he  shook  the  dust  of  Rattlesnake  from  his  feet. 
The  spectral  sail  retreated  over  the  water  returning 
no  more  that  season  to  haunt  the  mirrored  coves  of 
the  little,  lone  isle. 

Tom  Taylor  "darned"  and  "gol-darned"  his  luck 
and  the  girl,  and  wished  himself  and  her  in  —  well,  in 
a  clime  too  hot  for  health  and  comfort. 

Having  thus  abandoned  schemes  matrimonial,  he 
returned  to  his  work  of  inveigling  into  nets  of  tarred 
twine  the  unsuspecting  finny  tribes,  an  occupation  with 
which  he  was  more  familiar  than  that  of  love  making. 

One  early  spring  day,  some  months  following  the 
collapse  of  Tom's  love  affair,  a  terrible  squall,  such  as 
sometimes  swoops  down  unannounced  upon  the  islands, 
struck  Put-in-Bay  with  a  force  that  twisted  limbs  from 
the  trees  and  sent  the  tumbled  seas  spouting  up  the 
rocks. 

Looking  from  her  window  an  old  woman  who  oc- 


jujitfuroi^g? 


CASTA  WAV. 


n27 


^" 


cupied  a  cottage  on  East  Point  thought  she  espied  a 
small  boat  far  out  on  the  lake  drivinij  eastward  before 
the  gale.  From  a  shelf  she  snatched  a  pair  of  marine 
glasses  through  which  she  took  a  second  observation. 
Yes,  the  boat  was  evidently  drifting  at  the  mercy  of  the 
wind  and  current.  Not  an  oar  was  in  motion.  Only 
a  single  occupant  could  be  discerned  and  that  was  a 
female.  With  breiihless  haste  the  old  woman  rushed 
to  a  'Htle  cove  where  stood  a  fish  shanty.  Within  an 
angle  of  the  L  shaped  dock  several  boats  lay  moored, 
and  tVvO  fishermen  attired  in  yellow  oil  skins  and  Sou*- 
westers  were  coal  tarring  twine  over  a  smoking  kettle. 
One  of  these  individuals  proved  to  be  our  friend  Tom 
Taylor.  Tom  took  the  marine  glasses  proffered  by 
the  scared  old  woman,  and  through  them  examined 
the  drifting  boat. 

"Blast  my  buttons  if  it  aint  a  woman!"  he  eJi- 
claimed.  With  two  or  three  long  strides  he  reached 
and  began  unfastening  a  boat. 

"What  you  goin'to  do  ?"  demanded  his  companion. 

"Going  to  pick  up  that  skiff;  come  on  Jim." 

Jim  demurred,  urging  that  no  boat  could  live  long 
in  such  a  sea,  and  that  it  was  foolhardy  to  venture. 

Tom,  however,  would  take  no  denial,  and  with 
serious  misgivings  Jim  was  finally  persuaded  to  take  a 
hand  at  the  oars.  Under  the  double  pull  the  boat 
plunged  into  the  boiling  surf.  It  was  a  hard  struggle 
and  many  times  the  boat  barely  escaped  swamping  in 
the  heavy  sea  that  struck  her,  but  at  last  the  castaway 
was  overtaken.  As  they  approached  the  woman 
stretched  appealing  hands  toward  them  and  Tom  turned 
in  his  seat  to  get  a  square  look  at  her. 


iii 


328 


CASTA  IV A  y. 


i::i 


"Great  Scott!"  The  beaded  perspiration  on  his 
brow  now  began  streaming  down  his  cheeks.  It  was 
Celia,  she  who  had  so  cruelly  jilted  him.  But  all  dif- 
ferences were  forgotten  when  life  and  death  hung  poised 
in  the  balance.  The  drifting  boat  was  nearly  tilled 
with  water  and  it  seemed  as  if  every  sea  would  sub- 
merge it,  but  the  boat  and  Celia  were  both  rescued 
and  landed  upon  the  lee  side  of  a  projecting  headland. 
Celia  was  drenched  through  and  through.  Her  hair 
hung  in  strings,  her  clothing  clung  closely  about  her, 
and  altogether  she  looked  as  picturesque  as  a  ducked 
hen. 

*' You  may  thank  Tom  here  for  your  salvation,"  re- 
marked Jim,  turning  to  the  fair  but  dilapidated  Celia. 

"I  never  see  a  woman  yit  that  I  thought  more  of 
than  I  do  of  my  own  individual  self,  an'  if  Tom  hadn't 
sbamed  me  out,  I  expect  he'd  awent  alone  and  you'd 
both  gone  to  Davy  Jones." 

Now  that  they  had  reached  land,  the  rough  old 
fisherman  had  removed  his  boots  and  was  draining  off 
the  water  that  had  collected  in  them. 

The  girl  made  no  reply,  but  from  under  dripping 
locks  she  beamed  upon  Tom  a  smile  the  most  heart- 
some  and  approving  that  he  had  ever  received. 

In  answer  to  anxious  questions  Celia  explained  that 
when  midway  between  the  two  islands  a  rowlock 
had  become  detached  and  fallen  overboard,  rendering 
the  oars  useless,  and  being  overtaken  by  the  squall  she 
had  drifted  until  discovered  and  rescued. 

Celia  found  shelter  with  some  friends  at  Put-in-Bay 
until  the  next  morning,  when  the  gale  having  died,  she 
was  restored  to  her  anxious  parents  by  Tom  Taylor  in 


CASTA  U'A  v. 


320 


on   his 
It  was 
all  dif- 
y  poised 
ly  filled 
lid  sub- 
rescued 
L'adland. 
ler  hair 
out  her, 
ducked 

ion,"  re- 
id  Celia. 
more  of 
n  hadn't 
id  you'd 

ugh  old 
ning  off 

dripping 
t  heart- 

ned  that 
rowlock 
indering 
uall  she 

t-in-Bay 
lied,  she 
'aylor  in 


person.  She  was  not  much  worse  for  the  wetting  and 
scare  received  and  was  appropriately  subdued  in  man- 
ner, treating  Tom  with  uniform  kindness  and  evidently 
regarding  him  as  a  hero. 

Old  Hank  received  him  with  effusive  demonstra- 
tions and  insisted  upon  his  remaining  for  the  day  as  an 
honored  guest,  placing  before  him  in  the  way  of  enter- 
tainment the  best  that  his  larder  afforded. 

Celia  behaved  beautifully  and  it  will  hardly  be 
necessary  to  tell  of  all  the  little  flirtations  successfully 
prosecuted  by  the  young  couple  during  that  brief  day. 

In  the  evening  as  Tom  was  about  taking  his  depar- 
ture, his  host  clapped  him  on  the  shoulder  and  said : 

"Young  man,  if  it  hadn't  been  for  you  my  girl 
would  now  be  drifting  down  Lake  Erie  a  corpse  instead 
of  sitting  here.  You've  saved  her  life  and  now  I  don't 
know  how  I  am  to  pay  you  for  the  trouble,  unless 
you're  willin'  to  take  her." 

A  wave  of  scarlet  suddenly  swept  over  Tom's  face, 
extending  clear  to  the  roots  of  his  red  hair,  while  the 
girl  looked  the  picture  of  confusion. 

"Why,  dad!  "  she  exclaimed. 

Tom  succeeded  after  a  mighty  effort  in  gaining  his 
composure,  and  after  clearing  his  throat  said  that  if  the 
old  man  was  "willin' "  and  the  girl  was  "willin' "  he 
guessed  he'd  call  it  "square."  The  girl  nodded;  the 
old  man  said  "all  right,"  and  promised  to  throw  in  the 
boat  as  a  part  of  the  bargain.  So  before  the  ice  fields 
blocked  the  island  passages  there  was  a  wedding  on 
Rattlesnake  and  Tom  bore  away  his  bride  in  triumph. 

One  by  one  old  Hank  Smith  was  robbed  of  his 
daughters  and  he  eventually  left  the  island  himself, 


)V. 


ii-» 


I 


Hi 


11 


-  A  I 
iK    1 


■'  I 


I 


:)30 


CASTAWAY, 


and  another  "Family  Robinson"  who  succeeded  him 
now  occupies  the  place. 

Tom  Taylor  multiplied  and  increased  as  years 
swept  on  and  now  rejoices,  with  his  "better  half"  in 
an  ample  share  of  this  world's  emoluments. 


i 

In 


ed  him 


I    years 
ialf"  in 


^^CRUSOE"  ISLANDS  OF  ERIE. 


As  a  field  for  the  development  of  novel  and  enter- 
taining adventures  like  those  of  "Robinson  Crusoe," 
and  the  "Swiss  Family  Robinson,"  or  a  fancy  tickling 
bit  of  romance  like  that  of  "Foul  Play,"  a  little,  lone 
island  in  the  sea  is  quite  the  thing,  and  in  material  for 
productions  of  this  kind  the  Erie  archipelago  is 
prolific. 

Mere  dots  as  they  are  on  the  broad  bosom  of  an 
inland  sea,  the  reminiscent  lore  attaching  to  the 
smaller  islets  dating  from  their  early  history  is  in- 
teresting. 

While  too  limited  in  extent  to  afford  room  for  more 
than  a  few  occupants  at  a  time,  the  fact  that  so  many 
individuals  singly,  or  as  families,  should  have  sought 
at  various  times  the  seclusion  of  bounds  so  narrow,  is 
a  matter  of  surprise.  Instances  of  the  occupation  of 
each  by  single  families  have  been  numerous,  while 
correspondingly  marked  has  been  the  tendency  toward 
Crusoe  life. 

As  will  be  seen  on  reference  to  the  map,  the 
islands  in  question  are  scattered  promiscuously  among 
the  larger  members  of  the  group,  and  may  be  enum- 
erated as  East,  West  and  Middle  Sisters,  Green  Island, 
Rattlesnake,  "Gull,"  "Sugar,"  "Mouse,"  "Lost  Bal- 
last," "Hen  and  Chickens,"  North  Harbor,  Middle 
Island,  "Buckeye,"  and  "Starve"  islands. 


ti 


f.- 


ii: 


332 


''CRUSOE''  ISLANDS  OF  ERIE. 


m  . 


■ 


P 


ni 


As  a  light-house  station,  Middle  island,  situated  in 
Canadian  waters  south  of  Point  Au  Pelee  and  contain- 
ing but  a  few  acres,  has  formed  for  many  years  the 
abode  of  a  whole  series  of  government  employes 
whose  main  occupation  it  has  been  to  kindle  and  keep 
burning  through  nights  of  storm  and  darkness  the 
lights  within  its  grey  old  tower,  occupying  in  turn 
with  their  families  or  alone  the  one  modest  dwelling 
which  the  island  contains. 

Drawing  from  their  personal  experiences,  the  light- 
keepers  of  Middle  island  have  contributed  in  ample 
measure  to  stories  of  adventure,  and  often  of  hardship 
and  privation  incidental  to  a  fife  so  isolated. 

On  one  occasion  a  bass  fishing  party  on  an  ex- 
tended cruise  approached  the  shores  of  Middle  island. 
The  party  had  observed  two  women  watching  from 
the  shore  and  giving  signs  of  distress.  On  landing 
they  found  near  the  stone-towered  light-house  a  dwell- 
ing occupied  by  the  keeper  and  his  family.  The 
former  was  suffering  tortures  from  a  broken  ankle — 
the  result  of  an  accident  three  weeks  previous.  When 
first  broken,  the  limb  had  been  bandaged  and  treated 
by  a  mainland  physician,  but  had  since  received  no 
medical  attention,  and  from  appearances  the  case  was 
likely  to  involve  a  sarri^ce  either  of  life  or  limb. 

The  family  were  in  reduced  circumstances  and,  cut 
off  from  communication  with  the  outside  world,  no 
help  could  be  obtained.  The  party  did  what  they 
could  toward  temporarily  relieving  the  unfortunate 
man  and  in  supplying  the  wants  of  his  family,  and  as 
soon  as  it  could  be  procured,  the  necessary  medical  aid 
was  dispatched  to  the  sufferer. 


''CRUSOE''  ISLANDS  OF  ERIE. 


333 


jated  in 
:ontain- 
cjars  the 
nployes 
nd  keep 
less  the 
in  turn 
Iwelling 

he  light- 
1  ample 
lardship 

1  an  ex- 

e  island. 

ig  from 
landing 

a  dwell- 
The 
ankle — 
When 
treated 
ived  no 
ase  wat) 

3. 

and,  cut 
orld,  no 
at  they 
ortunate 
and  as 
dical  aid 


On  yet  another  occasion  a  solitary  occupant  of  the 
island  during  the  winter  season  was  taken  seriously  ill 
and  lay  for  several  days  uncared  for,  his  only  medi- 
cines comprising  a  few  simple  herbs,  his  only  com- 
panion a  dog. 

\v  like  manner  the  keepers  of  (jreen  island  light 
have  had  during  the  years  intervening,  since  the  build- 
ing of  the  first  light-house  upon  its  shores,  many  haps 
and  mishaps  which  if  woven  into  story  would  make 
interesting  reading.  An  occurrence  most  notable  in 
the  history  of  Green  Island  was  the  burning  in  i86<|.  of 
the  lighthouse  abo\'e  mentioned,  an  account  of  which 
is  elsewhere  given  in  this  volume. 

A  fine,  new  structure  smce  erected  has  been  for 
several  years  under  the  superintendence  of  Joseph 
Gibeaut  and  family,  who  by  means  of  a  snug  little 
naphtha  launch — The  "Twilight"  —  make  connection 
between  its  shores  and  Put-in-Bay.  The  island  has 
had  also  its  Crusoe  dwellers. 

For  a  number  of  years  rocky  little  Rattlesnake 
was  inhabited  by  a  family  bearing  the  name  of  Ham- 
mond, but  now  forms  the  summer  residence  of  Capt. 
Freyense,  of  Sandusky,  who  .\nnually  repairs  thither 
with  his  family.  A  romantic  interest  attaches  to  the 
place. 

The  "Sister"  islands  have  rejoiced  each  in  its 
solitary  occupation  from  time  to  time  by  one  or  more 
individuals,  and  the  past  history  of  the  trio  is  redolent 
of  reminiscent  lore,  the  repetition  of  which  sounds  like 
fiction. 

According  to  tradition  there  lived  on  one  of  the 
Sisters  in  early  days  a  fisherman  and  his  family,  to- 


1!' 


4i 


Iff" 


rr 


T: 


(ji  i 

1  i     I 


] 


!i 


Jl  [ 


i 


334 


''CRCrSOE''  ISLANDS  OF  ERIE. 


gether  with  a  man  employed  by  the  former.  They 
endeavored  to  accommodate  themselves  to  the  situa- 
tion, and  no  serious  difficulty  had  as  yet  overtaken 
them  until  in  the  midst  of  a  long,  tedious  winter  a 
child  was  taken  suddenly  and  seriously  ill,  and  died 
b  fore  medical  aid  could  be  procured. 

Unwilling  to  bury  their  little  one  uncoffined  upon 
the  lonely  isle  were  the  parents,  and  accordingly  the 
two  men  set  out  across  the  ice,  bearing  with  them  the 
dead  child.  On  the  way  they  were  struck  by  a  heavy 
gale,  the  ice  broke  up,  the  adverturers  were  caught 
an  i  lost  in  rhf  »'mvin>i  ;  .    <x^f\    .>    i    Jk  i    ,1k   ilirei  boiiies 

V .  ,      II    v\  11  ,  he  lake. 


I  \ 


Lett  alune  on  the  island  mother  and  daughter 
awaited  anxiously  the  return  of  the  absent  ones,  but 
waited  in  vain. 

Two  or  three  months  afterward  with  opening  nav- 
igation a  Vessel  chanced  to  be  cruising  near  the  island 
and  w^as  signalled  by  the  distressed  women.  They 
were  fornd  to  be  in  destitute  circumstances,  and  the 
story  of  their  desolate  sojourn  under  circumstances  so 
fraught  with  anxiety  and  grief,  was  one  of  harrowing 
mterest. 

For  many  years  after  the  settlement  of  the  princi- 
pal islands,  the  "Hen  and  Chickens,"  lying  north  of 
the  Bass  group,  were  uninhabited.  The  "Hen"  was 
finally  settled  by  one  Captain  Blanchard,  who  came  to 
be  known  as  "the  hermit  of  the  old  Hen."  Unlike  the 
proverbial  recluse.  Captain  Blanchard  was  an  able  man 
financially  and  his  hermitage  formed  a  quiet,  but  very 
comfortable  retreat,  in  which  during  the  summer  season 
he  received  and  entertained  many  friends  from  a  dis- 


•.  They 
:he  situa- 
vertaken 
winter  a 
ind   died 

led  upon 
ngiy  the 
them  the 
a  heavy 
f  caujjht 
ci  bouies 


dauijhter 
)nes,  but 


ling  nav- 
le  island 
They 
and  the 
ances  so 
arrowing 

le  princi- 
north  of 
en"  was 
came  to 
nlike  the 
able  man 
but  very 
er  season 
im  a  dis- 


'  CRUSOE''  ISLANDS  OF  ERlE. 


885 


tance.  Tired  at  last  of  his  solitar}^  life  Captain  Blan- 
chard  sold  tl  e  "Hen"  and  her  brood  to  a  party  of  San- 
dusky gentlemen.  An  elegant  and  commodious  struc- 
ture was  erected  near  the  site  of  the  hermitage  and 
christened — "Quinnebog  Club  House,"  and  semi  an- 
nually its  members  repair  thither  to  tlsh  for  black  bass 
and  run  wild. 


VIEW  ON  OLD  HEN  ISLAND— QUINNEBOG  CLUB  HOUSE. 

'  Photo  by  Jno,  Dietz,  Sandiitky. 

For  a  time  the  only  inhabitant  of  "Ballast"  was 
"Uncle  Jimmy,"  who  occupied  a  humble  cot  and  posed 
as  monarch  of  all  he  surveyed,  until  after  the  pui  chase 
of  the  island  by  Cleveland  parties  pnd  subsequent 
erection  of  a  club  house  and  cottages. 

"Sugar,"  containing  an  area  of  about  fourteen  acres 
lying  between  Middle  and  North  Bass,  possesses  varied 


!  i! 


if 


i  i-i 


m 


fSJ 


Mrl 


;:: 


336 


''CRUSOE''  ISLANDS  OF  ERIE. 


attractions  and  is  favored  as  the  resort  of  camping 
and  fishing  parties. 

Concerning  "Mouse"  island  a  visiting  journalist 
thus  writes  : 

*'It  is  a  little  gem  of  an  island  on  the  south  shore  of 
Lake  Erie  just  a  stone's  throw  from  Catawba  Island. 
May  it  be  your  good  fortune  to  see  it  by  moonlight* 
with  Green  island  light  blinking  sleepily  over  the  port 
quarter.  Then  see  it  with  each  leaf  in  the  gentle 
silhouette.  Here  are  bays  and  capes  in  miniature,  and 
pretty  little  harbors  where  fairy  fleets  might  an- 
chor." 

"From  Catawba  Island  the  telegraph  cable  takes  a 
long  leap — stops  a  moment  at  "Mouse"  island  and 
then  plunges  into  the  lake  to  go  to  Put-in-Bay.  The 
happy  swallows  gather  on  the  wire  in  August  before 
their  trip  to  the  South  and  talk  over  the  coming  jour- 
ney, all  unconscious  of  the  messages  under  their  feet, 
messages  of  births  and  deaths  and  marriages  that  shall 
make  the  heart  flutter,  many  a  cheek  to  pale  or  flush 
at  Put-in-Bay.  What  do  the  swallows  care?  Robins 
too  shall  sing  a  sunset  carol  for  you  on  the  wire,  and 
you  may  sink  to  sleep  with  the  echo  of  his  gentle  ves- 
per in  your  ears." 

"You  might  have  seen  Perry  start  out  from  here 
several  years  ago  with  his  fleet.  How  queer  those 
old  vessels  would  look  now!" 

*'On  this  shelving  beach  many  and  many  a  time  has 
the  bark  canoe  of  the  Indian  grated.  Here  he  was  ab- 
sorbed in  thoughts  of  his  spirit,  and  here  too  he  pro- 
bably absorbed  a  great  deal  too  much  spirit,  after  the 
white  man  came." 


!^ 


''CRirsOE''  ISLANDS  OF  ERIE. 


m 


amping 

urnalist 

liore  of 
Island, 
onlightj 
tie  port 
i  gentle 
ire,  and 
fht    an- 

takes  a 
nd  and 
r.  The 
t  before 
g  jour- 
eir  feet, 
lat  shall 
)r  flush 
Robins 
ire,  and 
tie  ves- 

m  here 
those 

ime  has 
was  ab- 
he  pro- 
fter  the 


: 


"If  you  do  go  to  Mouse  island  this  summer,  the 
memory  of  it  shall  have  its  halo  for  you." 

Mouse  island — it  may  be  added — has  won  distinc- 
tion as  having  once  been  the  property  of  ex-Prest. 
Rutherford  B.  Hayes. 

Concerning  "  Catawba  island " — it  may  here 
be  stated  that  it  is  not  an  island,  but  rather  a  peninsula. 
It  is  therefore  outside  the  territorial  boundaries  in- 
cluded in  this  volume.  However,  it  may  not  be  out 
of  place  to  state  incidentally  that  the  locality  is  noted 
for  its  interesting  reminiscences  of  aboriginal  occupancy 
and  early  pioneer  days,  as  well  as  for  its  extensive 
orchards,  especially  peaches,  and  for  its  desirability  as 
a  quiet,  restful  summer  resort. 

"Gull"  formed  in  early  days  a  resort  both  for 
sea-gulls  which  repaired  thither  in  flocks  to  lay  their 
eggs  in  the  sand,  and  for  adventurers  who  went  to 
gather  them. 

"Buckeye"  and  "Lost  Ballast"  are  gems  in  mini- 
ature. Only  fifteen  or  twenty  years  ago  the  latter  was 
an  extension  of  Ballast  island  proper,  from  which  it 
was  cut  by  the  wear  of  waves,  and  is  now  separated  by 
a  sweep  of  water.  Covered  with  trees  and  shrub- 
berry,  this  tiny  islet — subsequenlly  named  "Lost  Bal- 
last"— forms  an  emerald  setting  in  the  blue  water. 

"Starve"  island  is  said  to  have  taken  its  name  from 
the  melancholy  fact  that  somewhere  about  the  open- 
ing of  the  present  century  a  sailor  got  stranded  there- 
on, where  he  starved  to  death.  The  skeleton  of  the 
unfortunate  man  was  afterwards  found  bleaching  upon 
its  barren  shore. 


It  n 


m 


i. 


%i  ;•' 


1^ 


I 
* 

t  i 


338 


''CRUSOE''  ISLANDS  OF  ERIE. 


Starve  island  forms  a  mass  of  rock  and  scant  veg- 
etation and  its  adjacent  reefs  are  known  as  danger 
points  and  carefully  shunned  by  cruising  vtssels.  It 
boasts  not  even  a  Crusoe,  and  was  recently  purchased 
by  Cincinnati  capitalists,  who,  it  is  said,  p-  opose  es- 
tablishing thereon  an  asylum  for  decayed  politicans. 


i  I 


*!'; 


^ 


I     , 


ii! 


AN  EVENTFUL  NIGHT. 


Thrilling:  Story   of  the  Burning  of  Green  Island  Light 

House  in  '64. 

"That  cold  New  Year's  night,"  is  the 
way  the  old  folks  put  it  when  they  refer 
o  tne  time  wherein  occurred  the   events 
here    narrated.     The    night  was  that   o^ 
the  outgoing  of  '63  and   the  incoming  of 
'64,  and  is  remembered  as  the  coldest  ever 
known    in  this  country.     Among    the  is- 
lands,  exposed   as  they  are  to  the   fierce  blasts  which 
sweep    Lake    Erie,     this  particular   cold     snap   was 
especially  noted. 

December  31,  1863,  was  mild  as  an  April  day- 
Heavy  rains  had  fallen,  filling  ditches  and  lowlands 
with  water,  while  the  lake  was  entirely  free  from  ice. 
With  the  cessation  of  the  rain,  however,  a  gale  sprang 
up  from  the  Northwest  which  steadily  increased  in 
violence.  As  darkness  fell  and  night  advanced, 
the  sea  rose  in  its  strength  and  swept  the  shores  with 
a  deafening  roar.  The  gale  became  terrific  in  force 
and  its  breath  cut  like  daggers,  so  that  pedestrians 
along  the  island  roads  could  scarcely  face  it.  Within  a 
few  hours  the  mercury  dropped  from  60  degrees  above 
to  25  degrees  below  zero. 

At  Doller's  Hall   on  Put-in-Bay,  a  party  of  young 


340 


AN  EVENTFUL  NIGHT. 


I K  ^ 


■::.\ 


\\  m 


If 


people  had  assembled  to  dance  "the  old  year  out,  and 
the  new  in,"  but  owing  to  the  extreme  cold  they  had 
deserted  the  dancing  floor  and  had  formed  a  gathering 
around  the  stove.  Suddenly  the  gioup  was  startled  by 
a  glimmer  which  shot  up  over  the  tree-tops,  faintly 
illuminating  the  windows  of  the  hall. 

"It's  the  moon  rising,"  suggested  one.  But  no, 
there  was  no  moon,  and  in  a  moment  a  bright  flame 
arose,  mounting  higher  and  higher,  while  the  sky  was 
a  lurid  glare  of  light.  A  few  moments  later  came  the 
news: 

"Green  Island  light-house  is  on  fire!" 

This  intelligence  struck  a  chill  to  the  hearts  of  all  who 
realized  its  import  to  the  isolated  keeper  and  his  family 
on  that  bitter  night;  for  in  the  wild  storm  raging 
without,  the  boiling  sea  and  the  midnight  darkness, 
no  human  aid  could  reach  them. 

While  at  Put-in-Bay  the  alarm  was  spreading,  Col- 
onel Drake,  the  light-keeper  at  Green  Island,  and  his 
family  were  gathered  in  the  sitting-room  of  the  cottage 
which  flanked  the  tower,  and  formed  a  part  of  the 
structure.  The  hour  was  late.  They  were  watching 
the  old  year  out.  No  apprehension  of  danger  came  to 
them  until  above  the  roar  of  the  wind  they  heard  the 
crackling  of  flames.  A  moment  later  the  whole  upper 
portion  of  the  building  was  discovered  to  be  all  ablaze. 

With  characteristic  coolness  Colonel  Drake  attired 
himself  in  boots,  hat,  and  overcoat  before  making  iny 
attempt  to  fight  the  fire,  but  seized  with  consternation 
his  wife  and  daughter  rushed  at  once  from  the  house — 
the  latter  bareheaded,  barearmed,  and  with  feet  pro- 
tected only  by  thin  stockings  and  slippers. 


AN  EVENTFUL  NIGHT. 


Ml 


ut,  and 
ley  had 
thering 
tied  by 
faintly 

5ut  no, 
t  flame 
ky  was 
I  me  the 


all  who 

5  family 

raging 

rkness, 

g,  Col- 

and  his 

cottage 

of  the 

etching 

a  me  to 

ird  the 

upper 

ablaze. 

attired 

mg  iny 

rnation 

ouse — 

et  pro- 


By  means  of  a  ladder  Colonel  Drake  mounted  to 
the  roof  with  a  pail  of  water.  Miss  Drake  caught  up  a 
pail  in  each  hand,  and  filling  them  from  the  lake 
passed  them  to  her  mother  by  whom  they  were  carried 
up  the  ladder  to  the  burning  roof  where  the  keeper 
was  making  a  brave  effort  to  stay  the  flames. 

Over  thirty  pails  of  water  were  in  this  manner 
transferred  to  the  roof,  but  though  they  worked  with 
the  energy  of  despair  the  fire  steadily  gained  and  Col- 
onel Drake  was  forced  to  beat  a  retreat  down  the 
ladder. 

The  family  now  turned  their  attention  to  the  saving 
of  their  valuables,  some  of  which  were  secured,  but 
already  the  interior  of  the  house  was  burning  and 
smoke  met  them  at  the  door  in  stifling  volumes.  A 
sudden  thought  of  his  family's  precarious  condition 
almost  turned  the  brain  of  Colonel  Drake.  Unless  he 
could  succeed  in  saving  a  bed  or  two  with  which  to 
protect  them  from  the  intense  cold,  they  must  inevitably 
perish,  since  no  assistance  could  reach  them  from  ad- 
jacent islands  until  the  sea  went  down.  He  darted 
into  the  burning  structure.  Tongues  of  flame  licked 
his  face,  singed  hair  and  beard,  and  the  smoke  blinded 
and  choked'  him.  With  a  desperate  bound  he  gained 
the  door  of  an  adjacent  room.  The  flames  had  already 
communicated  to  this  apartment,  but  the  bed  was  still 
untouched.  Upon  it  was  a  tick  filled  with  feathers 
and  another  with  straw.  Histily  rolling  them  into  a 
comforter,  he  shouldered  the  bundle  and  succeeded 
narrowly  in  makinp^  an  exit  from  his  perilous  situation. 

The  scene  no.v  presented  was  one  of  the  wildest 
grandeur.  Blown  by  the  howling  blast,  the  fire  surged, 


m 


A 


! 


i  -s 


l,f 


I  ■ 

ii 

11 


342 


AN  EVENTFUL  NIGHT, 


and  roared,  and  by  its  vivid  light  could  be  seen 
line  after  line  of  white  breasted  waves  rushing 
tumultuously  shoreward,  and  breaking  with  a  thunder- 
ing sound  at  the  base  of  the  tower. .  Clouds  of  blind- 
ing surf  mounted  thirty  feet  into  the  air  and  showered 
upon  the  steps,  freezing  as  it  fell,  and  forming  a  glar- 
ing pavement  of  ice  upon  the  very  threshold  of  the 
burning  structure.  Wind  and  sea,  fire  and  darkness 
had  united,  and  seemed  to  vie  each  with  each  other  in 
painting  a  picture  of  savage  sublimity. 

To  the  houseless  family  the  situation  was  one  of 
horror.  Under  strong,  nervous  pressure  Miss  Drake 
had  exhibited  unwonted  endurance,  but  when  nothing 
more  could  be  done,  strength  deserted  her  and  she 
sank  into  an  almost  insensible  condition.  An  exami- 
nation revealed  the  fact  that  her  ears,  arms  and  legs* 
were  frozen  stiff.  The  bed  was  removed  to  an  out- 
hc  e  which  remained  standing,  and  with  father  and 
mother  the  girl  was  tucked  carefully  between  the  ticks, 
and  thus  through  the  remaining  hours  of  the  night 
they  endenvored  to  keep  each  other  warm. 

Pitt  Drake,  son  of  the  light-keeper,  was  at  Put-in- 
Bay,  having  formed  one  of  the  party  assembled  at 
Doller's  Hall.  Frenzied  with  apprehension  concern- 
ing the  tate  of  his  kindred,  the  young  man  could  hardly 
be  restrained  during  the  night  from  setting  out  by  boat 
for  Green  Island — an  undertaking  which  could  have 
resulted  only  in  his  being  drowned.        ^ 

With  the  dawn  of  New  Year's  day  came  a  lull  in 
the  storm.  The  unprecedented  cold  had  thickened  the 
waters  of  the  channel  with  slush  ice  and  frozen  drift, 
and  although  a  heavy  sea  was  still   rolling  a  few  miles 


/I A'  EVENTFUL  NIGHT. 


343 


beyond,  the  ch.innel  between  the  two  islands  was  be- 
coming rapidly  crusted  with  thin  ice. 

Pitt  Drake  was  now  determined  to  hazard  a  passage 
to  Green  Island,  two  miles  distant,  and  in  the  enter- 
prise was  re-inforced  by  a  number  of  hardy  and  coura- 
geous men.  Two  cutters  were  procured,  together 
with  ropes,  pike  poles  and  several  long  planks.  The 
ice  was  not  suHiciently  strong  to  bear  men  and  cutters, 
and  the  way  was  bridged  with  planks  which  were  pro- 
jected forward  and  each  as  it  was  passed  over  was 
taken  up  to  be  again  placed  in  position.  Several  times 
the'  shifting  and  sinking  of  these  planks  threatened 
disaster,  but  the  party  reached  their  destiuation  with- 
out serious  mishap. 

With  a  feeling  of  dread  Pitt  Drake  now  approached 
the  smoldering  ruins  of  the  light  house.  No  signs  of 
life  were  visible;  the  liitle  island  seemed  empty  and 
deserted. 

Had  the  family  perished  in  the  flames,  or  had  they 
suffered  the  slower  agony  of  death  by  freezing.'' 

While  with  a  beating  heart  he  sought  for  a  solution 
of  this  problem,  a  shout  was  heard  from  the  outbuild- 
ing— the  only  one  which  the  island  now  contained.  The 
unfortunates  had  been  discovered,  and  in  a  moment 
young  Drake  had  clasped  the  hands  of  his  kindred  and 
was  shedding  tears  of  gladness  and  relief  unspeak- 
able. The  family  was  removed  to  Put-in-Bay — by 
means  of  the  cutters  employed — where  they  were 
taken  in  and  cared  for  at  the  nearest  habitation.  They 
were  all  more  or  less  prostrated,  and  medical  aid  was 
summoned  for  Miss  Drake  whose  sufferings  from  the 
exposure  of  the  previous  night  were  terrible.     Col. 


! 


I 


k  i3 


i    1 1 


344 


AJV  EVENTFUL  NIGHT. 


Drake  also  suffered  both  from  the  cold  and  from  burns 
received.  '  . 

The  Drake  family  subsequently  removed  to  the 
mainland.  Thirty-five  years  have  passed  since  the  oc- 
currence here  recorded.  Green  Island  lighthouse  was 
substantially  rebuilt  at  a  later  date  by  the  U.  S.  gov- 
ernment, but  the  old  residents  of  neighboring  islands 
have  never  forgotten  the  night  when  the  original 
structure  went  up  in  flame  and  smoke. 


m  burns 


to  the 
!  the  oc- 
ise  was 
S.  gov- 

islands 
original 


;■;  i 


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CD 


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Ol 

I 
en 

U 

O 


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Q. 

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SOME  INTERESTING  GEOLOGICAL  FEATURES: 
The  "Lost  Atlantis''  of  Lake  Erie. 


GLACIAL  ROCKS-KELLEY  ISLAND. 
Photo  by  J.  J.StrADHliaD, 


While  cogitating  over  the  strange  but  not  impos- 
sible story  told  by  Ignatius  Donnelly  of  a  "Lost  At- 
lantis," it  IS  a  question  whether  the  average  island 
dweller  of  the  present  generation  realizes  that  within 
the  Nineteenth  century  a  Lake  Erie  "Atlantis"  has 
disappeared,  neck  and  heels  beneath  the  waves. 

Through  local  reminiscence    and  scientific  record 


340       TNTEkESTlKG  GEOLOGtCAL  FEATURES. 


11 


■!  ' 


■1  I 


we  are  informed  that  an  island  more  than  a  mile  long, 
one  half  mile  wide  and  from  twenty  to  twenty-five  feet 
high,  formerly  extended  across  the  mouth  of  Sandusky 
bay.  Fertile  meadow  was  there  seen  and  trees  meas- 
urin<r  two  and  one-half  feet  in  diameter.  But  where 
once  nourished  the  island  and  its  products  now  roll  the 
billows  of  Erie. 

From  this  and  other  circumstances,  naturally  lead- 
ing to  such  a  conclusion,  Prof.  Moseley  of  Sandusky, 
who  has  thoroughly  studied  the  lake  region,  deduces 
the  theory  that  the  lake  bed  is  gradually  becoming 
tilted,  or  elevated  at  its  eastern  extremity,  causing  a 
rise  in  the  average  level  of  its  head  waters  and  corres- 
ponding submergence  as  indicated.  Since,  however, 
old  navigators  and  others  are  inclined  to  ascribe  this 
island's  disappearance  to  the  wear  of  strong  currents 
and  beat  of  storms.  Prof.  Moseley  seeks  to  establish  his 
theory  by  the  results  of  further  investigation,  calling 
attention  to  the  well  known  fact  that  in  the  caves  of 
Put-in-Bav,  the  subterranean  waters  of  which  rise  and 
fall  with  the  lake,  stalagmites  not  only  but  stalacites 
are  found  attached  to  the  floor  and  roofs  of  submerged 
caverns;  the  latter  five  feet  below  the  present  lake  level. 
For  these  to  form  in  water  would  be  an  impossibility 
and  their  position  as  indicated  show,  according  to  Prof. 
Moseley,  a  rise  of  the  water,  though  other  theorists 
might  ascribe  the  circumstance  to  a  shifting  and  settling 
of  the  honey  combed  rocks . 

Large  quantities  of  submerged  timber  found  in  the 
extensive  marshlands  bordering  the  lake  shores  in  the 
vicinity  of  the  islands  Hkewise  indicate  a  rise  of  at  least 
eight  feet,  and  the  submerged  channels  of  rivers  and 


5-. 


INTERESTING  GEOLOGICAL  FEATURES.       347 


e  long, 
ive  feet 
ndusky 
3  meas- 
where 
roll  the 

ly  lead- 
idusky, 
ieduces 
coming 
using  a 
corres- 
3wever, 
ibe  this 
purrents 
)lish  his 
calling 
aves  of 
'ise  and 
alacites 
merged 
:e  level, 
ssibility 
o  Prof, 
leorists 
settling 

in  the 
in  the 
at  least 
brs  and 


streams  in  the  same  vicinity  show  a  rise  of  at  least 
thirty-two  feet.  These  facts  are  given  by  Prof.  Mose- 
ley  as  proofs  of  a  gradual  rise  of  the  waters.  If  the 
above  theory  is  correct,  then  instead  of  wearing  away 
and  draining  Lake  Erie  to  the  compass  of  a  stream,  as 
certain  other  theorists  have  predicted,  Niagara  Falls 
may  become  tilted  to  such  a  degree  as  to  finally  pre- 
clude the  egress  of  the  lake  waters,  which  in  conse- 
quence will  continue  rising  and  extending,  submerging 
the  lowlands  along  its  shores  and  the  islands  at  its  cen- 
ter until,  filled  to  overflowing,  they  will  seek  an  outlet 
southward  from  the  lake  basin  to  the  valley  of  the 
Mississippi. 

This  then  seems  the  fate  in  store  for  both  island  and 
mainland  at  the  head  of  Lake  Erie,  unless  averted  by 
a  change  in  the  earth's  structural  progrc'm.  However, 
in  the  event  of  such  a  calamity,  it  is  safe  to  infer  that 
the  present  inhabitants  will  not  be  there  to  suffer  from 
the  consequent  drowning  out. 

Concerning  the  lake  archipelago.  Prof.  G.  Frederick 
Wright,  the  noted  iscientist  of  Oberlin  college,  refers  to 
the  region  as  "one  of  the  most  interesting  on  the 
American  continent,"  forming  as  it  does  a  most  im- 
portant geological  boundary. 

Prominent  among  features  of  interest  may  be  noted 
the  fact  that  the  islands  are  what  remain  above  the 
present  lake  level  of  a  long,  narrow  upheaval  known  as 
the  "Cincinnati  Anti-Clinal,"  which  appeared  when  all 
the  rest  of  the  United  States  vas  still  under  the  ocean. 
Further  concerning  this  formation,  an  authority  states 
as  follows: 

"A  local  and  peculiar  upheaval  in  this  ridge,  of  which 


rM 


II 


If 


w. 


I 


i 


J'' 


t  t 

1 


; 


. 


1:1 


j       ! 


348       INTERESTING  GEOLOGICAL  TEA  TURES. 

Put- in-Bay  is  near  the  center,  brought  up  a  formation 
of  the  rocky  structure  geologically  lower  than  the  sur- 
rounding portions  of  the  ridge.  The  portion  thus 
brought  up  and  which  constitutes  the  under  rocks  of 
Put-in-Bay  island,  is  known  as  the  water  line  of  the 
Niagara  group,  and  is  literally  honeycombed  with 
caves.  It  is  no  exaggeration  to  say  that  under  almost 
every  acre  of  this  island  exists  one  of  these  cavernous 
places.  The  upheaval-formed  arches  and  the  settling 
down  of  unsupported  strata  formed  rooms  with  roofs 
and  floors." 

Since  in  the  past  the  lake  islands  have  formed  the 
center  of  subterranean  disturbances  of  a  local  character, 
so  they  may  and  probably  do  still  form  such,  as  evi- 
denced by  a  slight,  but  very  peiceptible  earthquake 
shock  which  visited  them  only  a  half  dozen  years  ago. 
On  this  occasion  the  disturbance  proved  local,  center- 
ing as  near  as  could  be  ascertained  at  Isle  St.  George 
but  extending  across  the  lake  and  touching  the  shores 
on  both  sides.  In  view  of  these  conditions,  residents  of 
tlie  more  nervous  and  imaginative  sort  have  at  times 
fancied  themselves  dwelling  over  Tophet  and  have  lived 
in  fear  of  an  early  collapse  of  the  islands  and  submerg- 
ence beneath  the  waters  of  Erie. 

The  caves  of  Put-in-Bay  area  never  ceasing  wonder 
alike  to  the  scientist  and  lover  of  adventure,  both  of 
whom  seek  from  time  to  time  to  explore  their  mysteries 
and  whole  chapters  might  be  written  of  the  thrilling 
experiences  in  the  Plutonian  darkness  of  chambers  and 
passages  leading  —nobody  knows  whither.  All,  or 
nearly  all,  of  these  caverns  contain  miniature  lakes  and 
channels  of  cold,  clear  water,  connecting  with  Lake 


roofs 


LVTE RESTING  GEOLOGICAL  LEA  TURES.        340 


irilHng 
rs  and 

11,  or 
es  and 

Lake 


GLACIAL   MARKED  ROCKS  OF   "STARVE"  ISLAND. 
Photo  by  J .  .1  .  Slrii'ialinn. 

Erie  and  are  generally  conceded  to  be  ancient  water 
.    courses. 

The  subterranean  drainage  of  the  island  is  remarked 
in  the  caverns  not  only,  but  in  the  cellars  and  wells,  the 
former  becoming  flooded  when  the  wind  is  east  and  the 
lake  level  high;  the  latter  regularly  rising  and  falling 
with  the  lake. 

So  far  as  revealed  by  exploration.  Perry's  cave  is  the 
largest  on  the  island.  This  cave  is  nearly  forty  feet 
below  the  surface.  It  is  200  feet  long,  165  feet  wide, 
and  has  an  average  height  of  seven  feet.  Though 
spanned  by  a  single  arch  the  interior  has  standing 
room  upon  its  floors  for  8,000  persons.     The  roof  was 


f 


850       INTERESTING  GEOLOGICAL  FEATURES. 


\'M' 


f!   f- ; 


formerly  studded  thick  with  stalactites,  but  these  have 
nearly  all  been  broken  off  and  carried  away  by  speci- 
men collectors  and  venders,  but  the  stalagmite  floor — 
formed  by  century  droppings  of  water  holding  in  solu- 
tion calcium  carbonate — forms  a  study  of  interest. 

At  the  further  extrc.nity,  and  extending  back  under 
cleft  and  caverned  rocks,  stretches  a  lake  of  crystal 
clearness  and  viewed  by  torchlight  the  scene  at  this 
point  is  wierdly  beautiful.  For  a  number  of  years 
Perry's  cave  has  been  regularly  opened  each  season  to 
summer  visitors,  thousands  of  whom  annually  view  it. 
An  annex  to  this  cave  is  known  as  "Perry's  Bedroom." 

"Crystal  Cave,*'  newly  discovered  and  opened  to 
visitors,  is  now  attracting  attention.  Though  not  as 
large  as  the  former,  "Crystal  Ca-  e"  combines  so  much 
of  novelty  and  interest  that  even  the  oldest  inhabitant 
now  wonders  how  it  has  been  kept  so  long  in  the  dark. 
Its  discovery  in  connection  with  extensive  strontia  de- 
posits, of  which  it  forms  a  part,  is  a  matter  of  especial 
comment. 

During  the  winter  of  '97  and  '98  newspapers  all 
over  the  country  recorded  as  an  important  item  the  dis- 
covery of  strontia  at  Put-in-Bay  and  quite  a  wave  of 
interest  was  sent  through  the  country,  setting  on  the 
quivive  mineralogists,  chemists  and  scientists  generally. 

As  a  matter  of  fact  the  discovery  is  new  only  to  the 
outside  world,  as  it  was  originally  made  in  1859  ^"^ 
the  existence  of  strontia  deposits  has  since  been  gener- 
ally known  to  the  islanders.  Much  interest  was  mani- 
fested by  visitors  of  a  scientific  trend,  among  whom  was 
State  Geologist  Newberry,  whose  attention  was  at- 
tracted thereto  while  visiting  the  island. 


e  have 

speci- 

^oor — 

n  solu- 

■  • 

under 
crystal 
at  this 

years 
ison  to 
ew  it. 
ootn." 
led  to 
not  as 

much 
ibitant 

dark, 
ia  de- 
ipecial 


irs  all 
le  dis- 
ive  of 
m  the 
Tally, 
to  the 
9  and 
jener- 
mani- 
n  was 
IS  at- 


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i 


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I 


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i- 


INTERESTING  GEOLOGICAL  FEA  TC'RES 


^51 


o 


O 


In  1882  a  European  tourist,  Lieut.  Eniiel  Vanador, 
then  on  leave  of  absence  from  his  post  in  the  German 
army,  chanced  to  visit  the  archipelago.     He  was  a  man 
of  extensive  learning  and  while  at  Put-in-Bay  made  the 
acquaintance  of  the  late  Capt.  John  Brown,  Jr.,  of  whom 
he  became  an  intimate  friend.     Both  being  interested 
in    geological    research,    they    together  explored    the 
rocks  and  caves  of  the  island,  and  in  this  way  the  dis- 
tinguished foreigner  soon  learned  of  the  strontia  de- 
posits.    He    began    prospecting  on   his  own  account, 
ending  by  leasing   for  a   period  of  twenty-five  years 
grounds  near  Perry's  Cave.     A  shaft   was  sunk  and 
mining  at  once  begun.     About  seventy-tive  tons  of  the 
product  were  dug  out,  but  on  learning  that  the  cost  of 
shipment  to   Germany  via   Atlantic   ports    would    be 
heavy,  Lieut.  Vanador  decided  to  abandon  for  a  time 
his  enterprise,  especially  as  the  company  which  he  re- 
presented  was   then  working  a  strontia   mine  in   Italy 
at  less  cost   for  transportation.     That   at    Put-in-Bay 
was  therefore  closed,  until   the  Italian  deposits  should 
have  become  exhausted.     A  rude,   but  strongly  built 
structure  was  erected  over  the    i.ine,  the  tools  enclosed 
and   the  door  securely  barred.     A  power  of  attorney 
was  committed  by  Venador  to  Captain  Brown  together 
with  the  keys  of  the  mine,   and  the  stranger  took  his 
departure  leaving  the  islanders  in  a  state  of  wonder  as 
to  the  purpose  of  his  visit,  his  movements  having  been 
somewhat  mysterious. 

Since  for  a  number  of  years  nothing  was  heard  of 
Vanador,  and  as  the  lease  had  not  been  paid  up  to  time, 
the  present  owner  of  the  land  finally  adopted  legal 
measures  to  have  the  contract  annulled  and  in  this  way 


-I 


..•-  '"i 


r       FIhH  '.- 

■i  I^^B  T 

l.i' 

1 

t  , 


rt.  v 

1: 

1;   9 


:ll 


t! 


!i 


362       rXTERESTLVG  GEOLOGICAL  PEA  TURES. 

gained  possession.  For  the  first  time  since  its  closing 
the  mine  was  thrown  open  to  the  light,  and  the  shipping 
away  of  several  tons  of  strontia  formed  the  agency 
which  spread  abroad  the  supposed  new  discovery. 
The  strontia  vein  struck  by  Venador  in  1882  is  of 
great  thickness,  and  the  mineral  is  remarkable  for  its 
purity.  In  close  connection  with  the  mine  is  "Crystal 
Cave."  It  was  at  first  dillicult  of  access,  and  little  was 
known  on  the  island  concerning  it,  until  fully  opened 
up  by  the  new  owner,  Gustav  Ileinemann,  during 
the  winter  and  spring  of  iSpS.  The  cave  is  22  feet  be- 
low the  surface,  and  is  now  descended  by  a  flight  of 
stairs,  and  viewed  under  electric  lights  by  which  it  is 
illuminated  the  place  resembles  a  "fairy  grotlo."  It  has 
also  been  referred  to  as  "a  jewel  casket  of  the  nymphs." 

The  interior  comprises  several  chambers  and  the 
side  walls  of  each  are  of  solid  strontia — dazzling,  flash- 
ing in  their  crystalline  whiteness.  The  ceilings  are  arch- 
ed and  hung  with  prism  itically  formed  crystals,  emit- 
ting all  the  colors  of  the  rainbow  with  a  fascinating 
briUiancy  not  unlike  that  of  the  clearest  cut  diamonds. 
The  owner,  who  up  to  the  present  time  has  earned  his 
bread  as  a  common  day  laborer,  possesses,  evidently,  a 
fortune  in  Crystal  Cave  and  in  the  mine  connecting 
therewith. 

In  the  dim  past,  the  islands  were  alternately  sub- 
merged or  drained  according  to  existing  conditions  of 
the  earth's  formative  forces.     Says  Prof.  Newberry: 

"We  have  evidence  that  the  country  about  the  is- 
lands was  once  all  dry  land,  and  a  large  river  then  flow- 
ed down  the  present  bed  of  the  lake  and  emptied  near 
New  York  City." 


f. 


/NTE RESTING  GEOLOGICAL  FEATURES. 


a.-3 


closing 
[lipping 
agency 
covery. 
I2  is  of 
t  for  its 
Crystal 
:tle  was 
opened 
,  during 
feet  be- 
ilighl  of 
ich  it  is 

It  has 
^mphs." 
md  the 
5,  flash- 
re  arch- 

emit- 
inating 
monds. 
ned  his 
ently,  a 
necting 

ly  sub- 
ions  of 
vberry: 
the  is- 
n  flow- 
ed near 


GLACIAL  GROOVES  OF  THE  SO'JTH  SHORE-PU  T-IN-BAY. 

Prof.  Mjseley  observes  as  follows: 

''If  there  were  dwellers  on  Marblehead  at  the  time 
of  the  building  of  the  pyramids,  they  might  have  walk- 
ed to  Kellev  island  or  Put  in-Bav  at  any  time  of  the 
year." 

At  that  period  the  island  cave  passages  were  sup- 
posed to  be  tributary  1 3  surface  streams  emptying  into 
the  river  above  mentioned. 

A  period  concerning  which  notable  evidences  exist 
on  the  islands  was  that  of  the  great  ice  age,  when 
glaciers  1000  feet  high  scooped  out  the  bed  of  Lake 
Erie  and  left  their  ineffaceable  groovings  upon  the 
lime-rock. 

In  very  many  places  at  Put-in- Bay,  Kelley  Inland, 


V  : 


354 


INTERESTING  GEOLOGICAL  FEA  TURES. 


\  - 


Middle  Bass,  Isle  St.  George,  "Starve,"  and  other  is- 
lands, scoring  the  flat  rocks  and  extending  under  the 
water  of  the  lake,  are  seen  these  glacial  marks,  too  in- 
delibly graven  to  be  mistaken.  Their  course  runs  uni- 
formly from  Northeast  to  Southwest,  and  the  scratch- 
ed stones  and  granite  bouMers  left  behind  are  heaped 
in  terminal  moraines,  or  scattered  promiscuously  over 
the  land. 

Especially  famous  are  the  glacial  rocks  of  Kelley 
island,  which,  formimg  the  terminus  of  a  line  of  bluffs 
overlooking  "North  Bay,"  represent  one  of  the  island's 
greatest  attractions.  "Glacial  Rocks"  comprise  a  re- 
servaton  rescued  from  the  quarryman's  pick  and  der- 
rick, and  set  aside  by  gift  of  the  late  Mr.  Younglove,  of 
Cleveland,  to  the  Western  Reserve  Historical  Society, 
for  preservation  as  a  scientific  marvel. 

As  an  example  of  the  stupendous  carvings  wrought 
by  the  "granite  chisels"  of  the  drift  period,  these  rocks 
have  probably  no  parallel  in  the  United  States,  and  the 
regular  outlines  and  polished  smoothness  thereof  sug- 
gest the  idea  and  produce  the  effect  of  some  gigantic 
piece  of  sculpture.  To  view  them,  parties  represent- 
ing members  of  scientific  circles,  classes  from  our  uni- 
versities, curio  hunters  and  adventurers  make  special 
pilgrimages  to  the  island. 

The  geological  formation  of  Kelley  island  is  dis- 
tinct from  that  of  Put-in-Bay,  beini;  of  Cornifcrcrous 
limestone,  blue  in  tint  and  lying  in  strata  of  varied 
thicknesses. 

The  Kelley  island  quarries  are  productive  of  many 
rare   fossils,  those   of  extinct  fishes  being  especially, 
numerous.     The  fossilized  jaws  of  the  Onychodus  a  foot 


Qther  is- 
nder  the 
i.  too  m- 
uns  uni- 
scratth- 
heaped 
i\y  over 

Kelley 
of  bluffs 
island's 
ise  a  re- 
md  der- 
^love,  of 
Society, 

wrought 
e  rocks 
and  the 
3f  sug- 
^igantic 
►resent- 
ur  uni- 
special 

is  dis- 
ererotis 
varied 


INTERESTING  GEOLOGICAL  FEATURES        355 

long,  and  studded  with  sharp  pointed  teeth,  have  there 
been  unearthed  with  other  interesting  relics  of  by-gone 
ages. 

An  ancient  shore  line,  which  -ngles  across  the  is- 
land, forming  a  zigzig  wall  of  precipitous  and  water- 
worn  rock,  and  overlooking  wide  levels  where  once 
rolled  the  waters  of  Erie,  forms  also  an  interesting 
geological  feature  of  Kelley  island. 


«^ 


:  many 
ecially 
;  a  foot 


p  IP 


!■}  'I 


f      " 


mv 


'■  ■ . 

r 

:'■     ■•;■■ 

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j 

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j. 

'  i   > 

13 

1 1  'if 

!  1 ;  H  i 

1 

AMONG  THE  FISHERIES. 


INCOMING  OF  THE  FISHING  BOATS. 
Photo  l)y  Rev.  W.  Frcil  All.-ii. 


It  is  a  fact  generally  conceded  that  the  Lake  Erie 
archipelago,  with  Its  extended  network  of  channels, 
together  with  the  bays  and  inlets  of  adjacent  mainland 
shores,  formed  in  past  years  the  most  extensive  fresh 
water  fishing  grounds  in  the  world.  This  was  what 
made  Sandusky  the  first  city  ot  importance  as  a  mar- 
ket for  fresh  fish,  more  of  the  product  being  there 
handled  by  various  firms  dealing  in  the  commodity,  it 


iO* 


^ake  Erie 

channels, 

t  mainland 

isive  fresh 

was  what 

as  a  mar- 

eing  there 

imoditv,  it 


1, 


1 

':» 

;l     1   ! 


M 


^  I 


>- 

QC 
UJ 

I 
(J 

h- 
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X 

X 
(O 

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05 

UJ 

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K 

a 

LU 


>- 
cc 

Hi 

I 

O 


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CO 

UJ 

h- 

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I- 
co 

Q 


AMONG  THE  FISHERIES. 


85" 


is  said,  than  at  any  other  commercial  centei*  on  either 
continent.  The  archipelago  and  its  envirorment  thus 
achieved  world-wide  fame,  and  the  once  sleepy  old  city 
on  Sandusky  bay  outshone — along  one  line  at  least  — all 
competitors,  and  might  have  with  fitness  emblazoned 
"Excelsior"  upon  her  banners.  Some  idea  of  the  Lake 
Erie  fishing  industry  as  carried  on  a  few  years  ago 
might  have  been  formed  by  a  cruise  over  its  waters. 
A  trip  between  Sandusky  and  the  islands,  or  in  almost 
any  direction  from  the  island  center,  would  have  Sierved 
as  an  illustration.  Everywhere  stretching  through 
the  shoal  waters  lor  which  the  lake  is  noted,  might 
have  been  seen  lines  and  lines  of  gill  nets,  with  tiie 
more  complicated  combination  of  "cribs,"  "hearts" 
and  "leads,"  comprising  the  poundmen's  outfit.  Ob- 
servers who  had  the  means  of  knowing  state  that  the 
shores  from  Sandusky  to  Buffalo  were  strung  all 
along  with  pounds  and  gill  nets,  and  at  that  place  tlie 
latter  extended  across  the  lake  to  the  Canadian  main 
— the  twine  being  buoyed  to  the  surface  in  the  deep 
water  intervening.  Gill  nets  were  especially  numer- 
ous, and  It  is  safe  to  say  that  gill  net  twine  on  the  lake 
might  have  been  measured  by  hundred  mile  lengths. 
At  the  head  of  the  lake  and  around  the  islands,  how- 
ever, centered  the  main  business  of  entrapping  the  un- 
suspecting finnys.  Down  on  the  mud  bottoms  where 
flourished  the  herring  and  other  representatives  of  the 
race  reached  the  fatal  meshes,  and  to  a  fate  sad  and 
inexorable  yielded  the  poor  scaly  coatt  None  so  re  • 
morseless  as  the  fishermen,  and  once  within  his  grip 
'twas  useless  for  the  captive  to  flop  even  a  fin.  With 
so  many  plotters  against  his  peace,  it  became  a  query 


%:i 


1 


m 


p; 


'I 


358 


AMONG  THE  FISHEJ^IES. 


U: 


hi. 


u 


I   ;  0 


i 


11 
1 1 


(    s 


UNLOADING  THE  CARGO, 
Photo  br  Rev.  W.  Fred  Allen, 


oft  how  any  denizen  of  the  deep  managed  to  reach 
maturity,  and  whether  he  ever  did  get  old  enough  to 
vote.  The  prospect  of  an  early  consignment  to  the 
frying-pan  did  not  materially  affect  his  tpirits  or  appe- 
tite, however.  He  lived  on  present  opportunity,  with 
no  thought  of  the  morrow. 

At  Put-in-Bay,  then,  appeared  many  strange  faces. 
Groups  of  men  at  the  shipping  docks,  before  the  post- 
office  and  saloon,  or  going  and  coming  along  the  side- 
walks. They  were  variously  attired,  with  a  prepon- 
derance of  cheese-colored  oil  coats,  sou-westers  and 
high  water  boots  with  straps  which  trailed  the  ground. 
These  men   were  gill  netters  from  up  and  down  the 


AMOXG  THE  F/SHEIUES. 


359 


lake  who  were  making  the  ishmd  a  temporary  ren- 
dezvous. Their  boats  were  seen  at  the  piers — tugs, 
sometimes  six  or  eight  in  at  one  time  lying  together 
in  a  single  fleet,  and  representing  Cleveland,  Buffalo, 
Erie,  Huron  and  Detroit,  with  the  nearer  home  ports. 

The  dock  presented  a  busy  scene  tilled  with  gill 
net  reels  upon  which  fishermen  wound  their  nets, 
while  boxes  tilled  with  flopping  fishes  stood  awaiting 
consignment.  With  early  dawn  the  boats  were  off  for 
the  fishing  grounds  east,  west,  north,  south,  and  sun- 
up saw  the  blue  lake  flecked  with  the  sails  of  pound 
boats,  and  trailed  by  the  smoke  of  tugs. 

The  steamer  doing  duty  on  the  "  fish  route" 
reached  Put-in-Bay  early  in  the  forenoon,  and  began 
her  daily  round  among  the  islands,  collecting  the  flop- 
ping products  as  they  were  unloaded  from  the  return- 
ing fishing  boats.  Such  in  brief  was  a  fishing  season 
among  the  islands  during  the  palmiest  days  of  this  in- 
dustry. Little  wonder  that  the  lake  should  suffer  from 
a  drainage  so  heavy. 

With  the  complaint  that  its  waters  were  becoming 
depopulated,  and  with  the  restrictions  placed  on  gill 
netting  and  other  methods  of  fishing  the  scene  changed. 
Fewer  nets,  boats  and  fishermen  have  appeared  lat- 
terly, and  the  profits  to  those  interested  have  been  cor- 
respondingly smaller.  True,  the  business  carried  on 
is  still  extensive  and  the  depopulation  of  the  waters 
continues,  but  on  a  less  scale. 

As  a  means  of  restocking  the  lakes,  the  govern- 
ment work  projected  through  the  United  States  Fish 
Commission  bids  fair  to  compass  the  object.  The 
location    at    Put-in-Bay   of     the    United  Stales  Fish 


.  m\ 


If 


I 
I 


^ 


' 


I    . 


:,,,,.., 


i: 


I 

■J' 


'  J 


li 


I  ' 


l;1 


\   • 


I, 


360 


AMONG  THE  FISHERIES. 


DRYING   THE    NETS. 
Photo  by  Rev  W.  treil   Allen. 

Hatchery    was   the  first   step  in  this  direction,  and  its 
successful  operation  is  a  matter  of  general  interest. 

But  for  the  products  of  this  establishment  already 
planted  in  the  lake,  the  white  fish  and  pickerel,  it  is  be- 
lieved, would  now  be  almost  extinct. 

An  appropriation  of  $2o,coo  was  origiually  made 
by  Congress  for  the  erection  of  the  hatchery,  though 
the  cost  of  additions  and  improvements  since  made 
aggregate  considerablv  more. 

The  structure  is  located  on  the  shores  of  "  Squaw 
Harbor,"  commanding  a  fine  view  of  Gibraltar  Island, 
the  bay  and  its  shipping.  It  is  artistically  and  ele- 
gantly planned  and  forms,  it  is  said,  the  largest  and 
best  equipped  establishment  of  the  kind  in  the  world. 


,  and  its 
rest. 

already 
It  is  be- 


y   made 
though 
ce  made 


»'  Squaw 
r  Island, 
and  de- 
vest and 
le  world. 


J.  S.  FISH  HATCHERY-INTERIOR  VIEW. 


i'- 


.Mil 


AMONG  THE  FISHERIES. 


361 


X 


Fronting  the  buildings  are  ample  piers  at  which 
may  be  seen  the  steamer  Sheer zvatcr^  built  for  the  use 
of  the  United  States  Fish  Commission  at  a  cost  of 
about  $10,000. 

The  interior  of  the  hatchery  was  originally  planned 
as  follows  :  Midway  between  the  floor  and  a  high 
arched  ceiling,  ascended  by  a  flight  of  stairs,  appeared 
a  wide  platform  bearing  two  large  tanks  containing 
each  6,000  gallons,  which  were  filled  from  the  lake  by 
means  of  pipes  connecting.  Descending  from  these  tanks 
ran  a  system  of  pipes  to  the  batteries.  Here  within 
glass  jars  were  placed  the  eggs  in  process  of  hatching. 
From  the  main  pipes  smaller  ones  extended,  reaching 
nearly  to  the  bottom  of  each  jar;  and  through  them  ran 
constantly  a  stream  of  fresh  water,  causing  a  boiling 
movement  within,  which  kept  the  eggs  in  a  chronic 
state  of  commotion ;  the  jar  thus  forming  a  small,  but 
energetic  whirlpool.  As  fast  as  the  water  poured  in, 
it  was  collected  and  carried  away  by  a  trough. 

Since  the  improvements  recently  introduced,  the 
old  system  of  water  supply  has  given  place  to  more 
economical  methods  of  keeping  the  necessary  amount 
of  water  in  circulation.  The  batteries  which  contain 
the  jars  are  so  regulated  by  pipes  and  other  apparatus 
that  water  from  the  main  supply  circulates  eight  times 
through  the  whole  system  before  passing  into  the 
drainage  canal. 

To  operate  the  establishment  on  the  new  system 
requires  about  one-fourth  less  the  amount  of  fuel  pre- 
viously used. 

Each  jar  contains  140,000  white   fish  tg^%^  but 


1 


* 


362 


AMONG  THE  FISHERIES. 


lit. 


.    !, 


$    ■        !  ■'■■ 


■1[|- 


■!   \ 


);' 


;^ 


.V- 


counting  on  other  staple  varieties  of  fish  eggs  which 
are  smaller, — the  capacity  of  the  hatchery  is  about 
560,000,000  eggs.  This,  however,  is  more  than  the 
lake  fisheries  have  yet  been  able  to  supply  at  one 
time.  "" 

When  running  at  full  capacity  1,250,000  gallons  of 
water  were  originally  poured  through  the  pipes  and 
reservoirs  every  twenty- four  hours. 

Suction  pipes  connect  with  both  sides  of  the  point 
on  which  the  hatchery  is  located;  and  if  one  becomes 
damaged  by  storm  or  ice,  water  may  be  supplied  from 
the  opposite  side.  Westward  of  Peach  Point  the  pipe 
extends  150  feet  into  the  lake,  and  is  held  in  place  by 
immense  anchor  bolts  drilled  into  the  solid  rock  bot- 
tom. This  is  found  a  necessary  precaution  owing  to 
the  heavy  ice  drifts  which  have  a  terrific  force  in  tear- 
ing things  to  pieces. 

White,  and  other  varieties  of  fish  eggs  aie  supplied 
from  fisheries  near  and  far,  to  collect  which  a  large 
force  of  men  are  employed.  The  price  usually  paid 
for  the  same  is  forty  cents  per  quart. 

The  general  work  of  the  establishment  is  directed 
by  Supt.  J.  J.  Stranahan,  appointed  by  the  U.  S.  Fish 
Commission,  with  Capt.  J.  C.  Fox,  assistant;  while 
the  pumping  plant  is  under  the  supervision  of  Chief 
Engineer  W.  H.  Wollett. 

Some  interesting  specimens  of  aqueous  products 
are  seen  at  the  office  of  the  Fish  Commission,  together 
with  some  excellent  photographs  of  fish  eggs  in  various 
stages  of  development  taken  by  Supt.  Stranahan  from 
microscopic  projections. 


AArO.\G  THE  nsHER/KS. 


363 


iCted 

Fish 

while 

Chief 


U,  S    Pibh  COMMISSION   STPE^MtK  SHEERWATER, 

Lake  trout,  bass,  herring,  and  pickerel  are  annually 
propagated  at  this  establishment. 

Having  emerged  from  the  ^g^^-,  the  youthful  finny 
soon  wearies  of  iiis  whirlpool  home,  and  seeks  and 
finds  an  outlet  through  other  aqueducts  into  an  im- 
mense tank  of  fresh  water.  He  is  very  tiny,  but  is  af- 
forded room  to  grow ;  and  when  he  gets  too  big  for  the 
hatchery  he  is  given  the  freedom  of  Liike  Erie,  or 
shipped  away  to  some  of  the  lakes  and  rivers  of  other 
localities. 

To  the  uninitiated  the  "setting"  and  lifting  of 
fishing  pounds  are  interesting  processes.  The  ar- 
rangement and  anchorage  of  the  twine  is  elaborate, 
and  its  manipulation  in  rough  weather  is  difficult  and 
dangerous. 


/ 


1 

Iff 

* 

1 

' 

1 

m 


M 


864 


t.    :'i 


AMONG  THE  FISHERIES, 

Fishing  through  the  ice,  else- 
where described  in  this  volume,  is 
carried  on  both  for  pleasure  and 
profit. 

Of  all  piscatorial  pastimes,  bass 
fishing  is  the  most  popular  and 
includes  among  its  votaries  some 
of  the  most  distinguished  men  of 
America,  from  ex- Presidential  re- 
presentatives to  financiers,  di- 
directors  of  business  enter- 
prises and  men  of  prominence  gen- 
erally. 

Early  in  the  glad  month  of 
May,  or  early  in  September — as 
the  case  ma^  be— these  devotees 
of  the  rod  and  reel  put  in  an  ap- 
pearance, and  are  received  with 

PLAN  OF  A  Fi^HlNG  POUND,    j 

due  ceremon)'. 

At  their  disposal  are  placed  whole  fleets  of  boats, 
and  hotel  doors  swing  wide  to  greet  them.  On  the  Bay 
wharves  they  assemble  each  morning,  forming  with 
their  oarsmen  a  picturesque  group:  the  nondescript 
assortment  of  pails,  lunch-baskets  and  fishing  tackle, 
the  rubber  coats,  boots,  umbrellas,  and  demijohns  sur- 
rounding them   making  an  interesting  jumble. 

The  bay  tugs  and  small  steamers  find  daily  employ- 
ment in  carrying  these  parties  to  and  from  the  fishing 
grounds,  and  in  the  evening  when  the  boats  return,  the 
hotel  grounds  and  porticoes  are  crowded  with  sports- 
men— a  spirited  assemblage. 

Strings  of  bass  taken  during  the  cruise  are  triumph- 


•  i  r 


• .  > 


AMONG  THE  F/SHERIES. 

antly  exhibited  and  ardently  admired,  and  the  success- 
ful sportsmen  regale  each  other  with  freshly  improvis- 
ed fish  stories. 

A  taste  for  "forbidden  fruit"  sometimes  draws  the 
bass  fisher  a  "leetle"  too  near  the  Canadian  "preserves." 
and  not  until  surprised  by  the  frowning  guns  of  the 
Dominion  cruiser  Petrel  does  he  realize  his  where- 
abouts. 

A  notable  occurrence  facetiously  dubbed— "The 
second  battle  of  Lake  Erie,"  took  place  in  recent  years, 
in  which  the  island  steamers  Visitor  and  Brooks  with 
their  parties  were  captured  and  held  for  a  time  as  prizes 
\y  the  Petrel,  thereby  setting  the  whole  country  in  a 
fever  of  excitement. 


i 


'    i 


m- 


1  i 


' 


il 


t 


STORM  AND  DARKNESS. 


•'  The  North  wind  blew  at  nij^ht  off  tlie  sea, 
Saying  sorrowful,  sorrowful  all  of  me  ; 
I  bring  in  the  wave  with  the  brouen  spar 
And  tie  grey  seas  curliiit;  over  the  bar 

*  *  *  *  ■:■:  ■:\ 

"  I  sing  the  piercinL;;  hurricane's  breath, 

I  sing  the  horror  of  death  ; 

And  the  tempest's  shriek  in   the  rigging  black? 

And  the  spinthrift's  wrath  in  the  rolling  wrack. 

And  the  boat  that  never  again  came  back. 

Sorrowful,  sorrowful  all  ol  me." 


"There's  a  storm  in  the  air,"  observed  the  bronze 
browed  iisherman,  as  touching  his  finger  to  the  tip  of 
his  tongue  he  held  it  aloft,  intently  regarding  it  as  if  li 
were  a  sort  of  barometer. 

"By  wetting  your  finger  30U  can  always   tell  from 


STORM  AND  DARKNESS. 


sei 


rom 


which  direction  the  wind  blows — cold  on  the  side  from 
which  it  strikes,  you  Know." 

With  this  bit  of  information  gratuitously  imparted, 
the  speaker  adjusted  his  tarry  "sou'- wester,"  lighted  a 
strongly  scented  pipe,  and  taking  up  a  basket  of  torn 
and  slimy  gill-nets  strung  with  block  buoys,  proceeded 
on  his  way  along  the  beach,  his  angular  form  costumed 
in  fisherman's  "oilers,"  yellow  outlined  against  the 
white  gravel. 

All  day  long  the  sun  had  waded  through  filmy  Cir- 
rus and  his  stare  had  grown  dull  and  watery.  He  was 
Hearing  the  horizon,  when  from  a  cloud  cleft  he  shone 
luridly  forth.  A  fringe  of  scarlet  leaved  maples  cap- 
ping an  adjacent  bluff,  flushed  for  a  moment  with  still 
deeper  color,  and  the  gray  walls  of  an  old  house  in  the 
cove  were  red-scumbled  with  its  glow.  Out  of  the 
western  waters  there  arose  a  vast  cloud  bank,  and  the 
pall  of  its  bb.ckness  received  the  day-god. 

The  zenith  became  a  medley  of  broken  clouds — 
black,  white,  and  grey — tumultuously  tossed  as  if  the 
upper  airs  were  all  at  cross-currents.  Clouds  took  the 
shape  of  hideous  monsters,  and  writhed  like  masses 
of  black  snakes  nested  together;  or  like  evil  spirits 
affrighted  at  their  malign  intentions,  Hew  confusedly 
about  in  quest  of  hiding  places.  A  breeze  sprung  up 
and  m'rm's.'ntarily  freshened,  curling  into  white-caps 
the  channel  waters  and  sending  adrift  showers  of 
Autumn  leaves. 

Hilarious  with  delight  the  storm  loving  gull  flap- 
ped his  broad  wings,  circled,  and  piroutted  in  air,  and 
with  an  exultant  cry  dove  where  breakers  gleamed 
whitest. 


Ehv 


STORM  AND  DARKNESS. 


1    i 


Along  a  path  leading  by  the  old  house  down  to  the 
circling  beach  beyond,  came  at  twilight  a  chore  boy 
leading  his  horse  to  water,  but  the  ring  of  iron  hoofs 
striking  upon  rough  boulders  and  gravel  stones  was 
drowned  by  the  roar  of  wind  and  wave. 

From  her  seat  by  the  kitchen  window  Aunt  Deb- 
b}'  complained  largely  of  "rheumatiz,"  her  corns, 
bunions  and  other  ailments.  The  cat  came  howling 
to  the  door  with  broadened  tail  and  bristles  erect,  and 
when  admitted  glared  wildly  into  every  corner  as  if 
seeking  refuge  from  some  impending  danger  -  all 
portends  of  a  storm,  they  say,  and  Aunt  Debby  "reck- 
oned," we  were  going  to  have  "a  reg'lar  old  snorter," 
which  forecast  was  destined  to  prove  as  correct  as  if 
it  had  been  projected  by  the  chief  clerk  of  the  weather 
bureau  at  Washington. 

As  night  closed  in,  tiie  v/ind  rose  in  all  its  strength, 
and  with  it  the  sea.  The  roar  among  the  trees  out- 
side the  house,  and  the  boom  of  waves  on  \\wt  shore 
were  terrific.  Limbs  were  torn  from  their  trunks  and 
detached  twigs  blown  against  the  windows.  Latches 
rattled  and  doors  creaked  as  if  invisible  spirits  wer« 
seeking  admittance,  while  the  wind  over  the  chimne}' 
shrieked  a  refrain  wildly  weird  yet  strangc^ly  fascinat- 
ing.    Of  such  a  night  it  was  Byron  who  wrpte  :- 


"Thou  wast  not  sent  for  slumber, 

Let  me  be  a  sharer  in  thy  fierce  and  tar  A 

A  portion  of  the  tempest,  and  of  thee." 


Out  into  the  storm  then  I  sallied  intent  upon  catch- 
ing its  wild  spirit. 

Lashed  by  cyclonic  violence,  Lake  Erie  formed  ^ 


/ 


STORM  AND  DARKNESS, 


369 


)> 


tch- 


vast  sheeted  plain  glistening  white  through  the  dark- 
ness, and  even  at  a  distance  from  shore  I  felt  its  spray 
fine  as  mist  blown  against  my  face.  Cavern  ed  niches 
were  filled  with  a  seething  rush  cf  waves  and  the 
shore  woods  echoed  their  hollow  reverberatio  ns.  Surf 
swept  the  rocks,  and  spray  wreaths — like  dim  astrals 
— were  outlined  among  the  trees. 

Far  off  to  westward  I  caught  a  glimmer— the  star- 
board light  of  some  vessel  out  in  the  withering  gale. 
I  tried  to  reach  a  bluff  overlooking  the  sweep  of 
waters  but  the  wind  beat  me  back.  Unable  to  face 
it,  cut  by  its  keen  tOi^'o.  and  chilled  by  its  breat  h,  I  re- 
turned to  my  roof  shelter  full}'  satisfised  with  the  grip 
I  had  experienced  with  the  storm  and  darkness. 

A  feeling  of  anxiety  possessed  me,  however,  and 
my  mind  was  filled  with  thoughts  of  those  "that  go 
down  to  the  sea  in  ships,"  and  when  at  a  later  hour  I 
retired  for  the  night  and  lay  listening  to  the  warring 
elements,  I  fancied  that  I  heard  the  distress  signal  of  a 
steamer  in  trouble.  I  held  my  breath  to  listen  but  the 
sounds  multiplied  until  a  dozen  steamers  seemed  blow- 
ing distress  signals.  Only  the  many  tongued  tempest 
aided  by  imagination  it  proved;  but  the  wind's  shriek 
grew  wilder  and  more  maniacal  as  midnight  ap- 
proached, and  the  waves  voiced  senti.r.t:nts  of  sadness 
in  their  incessant  beat. 

**  Break,  break,  break. 

On  thy  cold  gray  stones,  oh  sea  ! 
And  I  would  that  my  tongue  could  utter. 

The  thoughts  that  arise  in  me." 

Words  once  sent  out  by  the  dead  poet  laureate 
from  his  ocean -swept  home  came  to  me  unbidden; 
while  appeared  visions  of  plunging  wrecks,  of  wrecks 


370 


STORM  AND  DARKNESS. 


•  1 1 1* 


j:    !,( 


aground  upon  rock  and  reef,  going  to  pieces  in  the 
midnight  blackness;  of  shredded  canvas,  of  yielding 
planks,  inrushing  seas  and  drifting  wreckage — of  ex- 
hausted seamen  feebly  clinging  to  toppling  spars,  of 
hopeless  seamen  struggling  in  the  awful  grip  of  death 
on  the  billow. 

I  thought  of  the  occupants  of  homes  far  scattered 
over  island  and  mainland,  who  would  lie  awake  listen- 
ing to  the  wind's  ravings  and  anxious  for  dear  ones 
abroad  on  the  lakes.  How  long  to  them  must  seem 
the  hours  until  dawn  should  bring  with  it  returns  of 
weal  or  woe. 

Dropping  into  a  half  slumber,  through  which  was 
retained  a  consciousness  of  the  howling  storm,  I  saw  in 
a  confused  dream  a  wrecked  vessel  going  to  pieces. 
The  struggle  between  life  and  death  was  agonizing, 
and  just  as  the  vessel  and  crew  were  sinking  in  a 
yeast  of  waves  I  awoke.  The  grey  dawn  looked  in 
through  the  window;  night  and  its  terrors  had  passed, 
and  now  to  the  telegraph  and  daily  papers  was  left  its 
doubtful  record.  Messages  from  near  and  far 
grouped  together  in  the  news  column  told  of  wreck- 
age and  death. 

"Schooner ashore  at  Eagle  Point  in  great 

distresF." 

"Schooner 

of  her  crew  lost." 

"Barge  

missing.  ^ 

"Schooner aground   on    Buzzard's   reef. 

Main  and  mizzen  masts  carried  away,  and  two  sailors 
swept  overboard," 


—  foundeied  on  Lake  Huron;  five 
parted  from    her    consort,  and  is 


STORM  AND  DARKNESS. 


371 


The  list  lengthened  until  the  names  of  a  dozen  or 
more  vessels  had  been  included  among  those  wiped 
from  existence  or  partially  wrecked,  or  that  had  met 
with  loss  of  life,  or  damage  to  cargo,  until  the  details 
grew  sickening.  Foi  the  last,  however,  was  reserved 
the  saddest.  Reported  as  missing  was  a  steamer  of 
powerful  build  and  magnificent  proportions,  which  in 
the  pride  of  her  beauty  and  strength  had  sailed  from 
a  neighboring  port.  Invincible  she  had  seemed  to  any 
storm  that  might  blow,  and  with  all  the  misgivings 
concerning  her  disappearance,  were  mingled  hopes 
that  somewhere  the  missing  steamer  was  still  afloat. 
Hut  as  hours  lengthed  into  days  and  no  tidings  came, 
hope  grew  fainter  until  at  last  came  the  definite  but 
crushing  intelligence  broadly  headlining  the  daily  news 
column: 

'^WRECKED!!'' 

**  And  Not  a  Soul  Left  to  Tell  the  Tale/* 

The  great  steamer  and  her  crew  of  seventeen  sea- 
man had  gone  down  to  unknown  graves.  Glancing 
over  the  list  of  those  comprising  the  ill-fated  crew,  I 
read  and  pondered  over  the  dire  calamity.  The  visions 
of  wreck  and  disaster  that  had  come  to  me  sleeping 
and  waking  seemed  to  take  shape  as  tangible  reality. 

*'  God's  winds  have  'whelmed  them  under  the  foam, 
God's  waters  have  clasped  them  round"-- 


reef. 
ailors 


/' 


And  mothers,  wives  and  sisters  will  await  in  vain 
the  return  of  loved  ones. 

Is  God  then  a  monster,  that  calamities  so  fearful 
and  heart-rendings  so  agonizing  should  be  by  Him  per- 


\  |';H 


:.i 


1 . 


■i    ! 


^ 


';•. 


'^  i 


t     I 


872 


STORM  AND  DARKNESS, 


mitted  to  afflict  tlie  children  of  men ;  or  is  it  only  the 
precipitation  and  magnitude  of  the  event  that  appalls  ? 
Is  that  fate  more  harsh  which  plunges  to  sudden 
drowning  in  a  midnight  sea,  than  that  which  dooms  its 
victims  to  death  inch  by  inch  from  lingering  disease  ? 
Who,  after  sober  reflection,  would  not  choose  the 
former  ? 

••  God.  who  maUeth  the  winds  to  blow, 

And  the  waters  to  roll  amain; 
God,  he  maketh  our  thoughts  to  fllow, 

And  he  calleth  them  back  again." 

"  And  he  calleth  the  glory  back  to  thee, 

Oh,  ship  forgotten  and  drowned  ! 
He  calleth  the  souls  deep  down  in  the  sea, 

God  breaketh  the  still  profound." 

Is  it  worse  in  reality,  or  only  in  seeming,  that  fifty 
or  a  hundred  souls  should  perish  together  instead  of 
falling  one  by  one.^ 

Human  perspective  is  limited,  but  God  is  infinite, 
and  to  Him  is  known  the  whys  and  wherefores  which 
pass  our  comprehension.  May  not  death  be  but  the 
initiative  to  larger  spheres  of  life  and  action;  of  hope 
and  happiness,  and  prove  as  such  but  mercy  in  disguise? 

*0h  death,  O  life,  the  winsome  and  bright, 
Twins  in  the  bosom  of  time, 
Death  is  the  shadow  that  brides  the  light; 
Life  is  the  light  sublime." 


WRECK  OF  THE  ''DEAN  RICHMOND/' 


Weather  fairer,  milder,  ne'er  tempered  Autumn  tide, 
With  zephyr's  balm  and  sunshine  richly  spread  ; 

Than  had  touched  the  walls  and  shipping  of  an  old  Lake  Erie  port. 
And  far  and  wide  its  smile  benignly  shed. 

A  blue  more  softly  tinted,  wide  arching  cloudless  space 

On  famed  Italian  sky  was  never  seen; 
And  the  amethystine  shimmer  of  waters  everywhere. 

Commingled  glints  of  mid  October  sheen. 

Light-hearted  were  the  sailors  of  that  old  Lake  Erie  port, 

As  with  song  and  jest  and  rn.rry  repartee, 
They  hastened  with  their  duties  and  ready  made  their  craft 

For  cruising  late  the  treacherous  inland  sea. 

For  fair  winds  hoped  the  skipper,  to  speed  his  onward  trip. 
And  for  luck  to  Autumn  commerce  on  the  wave; 

While  with  Bible  'neath  his  pillow,  and  horseshoe  on  the  wall, 
To  his  bunk  turned  in  the  sailor  bluff  and  brave. 

But  morning  broke  dolorous,  with  dull  and  vapid  stare, 
And  clouds  that  draped  the  sky  with  sable  pall; 

The  smoke  lay  low  and  heavy,  and  sails  hung  limp  and  gray, 
And  a  melancholy  gloom  was  over  all. 

And  yet,  with  early  dawning,  to  life  the  harbor  woke. 
And  sound  of  straining  windlass  then  was  heard  ; 
With  creak  of  blocks  and  tackle,  and  shriek  of  fishing  tugs, 
.  'Till  with  enterprise  the  waking  river  stirred. 

Then  slowly  down  the  harbor,  passed  vessels  large  and  small, 

And  on  their  sep'rate  courses  soon  were  bound ; 
Some  to  the  straits  and  rivers,  some  to  points  beyond. 

With  sailboats  for  the  nearer  fishing  grounds. 


mmm 


i  '■ 


i.  I 


>f '  i 


! 


lij 


i    ; 


1 

1 

'■■    ■:*     :.j 

''     1 

'  i 

'' 

^ 

■; 

:„ 

'll 

■'■i 

'a\ 

■ 

ll 

374 


WRECK  OF  THE  ''DEAN  RICHMOND:' 


STR.   "DEAN  RICHMOND" 

But  in  all  the  fleet  of  vessels  thut  sailed  away  from  port, 
None  stronger  ribbed,  or  staunclier  built  appeared 

Than  the  queenly  craft  "Dean  Richmond,"  as  down  the   bay  she 
swept, 
And  to  eastward  over  Erie  boldly  steered. 

A  braver,  better  seaman,  deck  of  steamer  never  trod, 
Than  her  master,  gallant  Stoddard  oft  had  proved; 

And  too  hardy  and  too  fearless  were  his  crew  of  stalwart  men, 
By  any  threatened  danger  to  be  moved! 

And  though  the  clouds  hung  heavy,  and  rain  beat  drearily. 

And  the  waters  had  a  dark  and  sullen  leer; 
No  dread  of  pending  evil  came  to  loved  ones  left  behind, 

As  they  saw  her  round  the  head-lands  disappear 

But  at  :r.idnight  from  its  caverns  the  hurricane  awoke, 

And  with?U  the  sinister  legions  of  the  air, 
Wide  swept  the  face  of  Erie,  and  with  wild  and  savage  glee, 

Encompassed  hopeless  vessels  cruising  there. 

Ah,  the  Bible  neath  his  pillow,  or  horseshoe  on  the  wall, 

Evil  luck  to  charm  away  would  not  avail; 
For  wreckage  and  disaster  menaced  the  sailor  lad. 

And  death  in  awful  triumph  rode  the  gale. 

And  by  the  Maumee  river,  night  sleepers  were  aroused, 
By  the  rush  and  roar  of  tempest  sweeping  past; 

But  for  the  craft  "Dean  Richmond,"  all  contidence  had  they 
I  n  her  prowess  to  outride  the  shrieking  blast. 


WRECK  OF  THE  -DEAN  RICHMOND:^  375 

But  rut  upon  the  waters  in  the  dark  and  starless  night, 

The  deadly  cyclone  held  her  in  his  clutch; 
His  breath-a  withering  terror;  insane  his  revelry, 

And  her  strong  heart  quailed  and  quivered  at  his  touch. 

"Last  seen"-the  staunch  "Dean  Richmond"  tossed  in  a  yeast  of 
waves,  ' 

Her  chimneys  gone,  her  decks  swept  by  the  sea 
But  powerless  to  aid,  the  half  wrecked  vessel  proved, 
That  struggled  past  to  seek  some  friendly  lee. 

"Lost  with  all  hands"  -the  steamer,  down  to  a  black  abyss, 
Plunged  in  the  storm  and  darkness  with  her  crew 

"None  left  the  tale  to  tell" -the  closing  tragic  scene 
Forceful  and  real ;  its  actors  only  knew  * 

Now  by  the  Maumee  river,  in  the  old  Lake  Erie  port 
Wives  and  children,  mothers,  sisters  sadly  mourn 

The  unreturning  steamer,  and  in  waxen  wreaths  entwine 
Amaranthus  for  the  dear  ones  from  them  torn 


i 


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AN  OLD  STEAMER'S  FAREWELL 


From  early  spring  until  late  autumn,  year  by  year, 
for  over  a  quarter  of  a  century,  the  good  steamer  had 
followed  the  blue  stretch  of  Erie  that  lay  between 
island  and  mainland  and  threaded  the  intricate  channel 
passages  by  treacherous  reefs  and  outlying  shoals. 
The  broadside  of  many  a  nor'easter  had  she  en- 
countered. Through  fogs  and  sheeted  snow  she  had 
crept  and  cautiously  felt  her  way  over  shallows  when  the 
wind  blew  down  the  lake  and  the  water  was  low.  On 
nights  when  the  weather  was  thick,  and  darkness  im- 
penetrable lay  upon  lake  and  land;  when  Boreas  mar- 
shalled his  trumpeters  and  the  meeting  currents  of 
Marblehead  drove  upwards  the  water  into  towering 
pyramids  of  foam,  the  staunch  craft  bared  her  breast 
to  the  storm  and  steamed  blithely  homeward. 

Though  chopping  seas  wrenched  her  timbers,  and 
onsetting  billows  struck  with  a  shock  that  sent  furni- 
ture and  merchandise  spinning  through  her  cabins  and 
waves  rushing  across  her  decks  — guided  by  the  friendly 
lighthouse  beacon — she  made  her  island  port  in  safety, 
with  never  a  mishap  through  all  these  years  of  hazar- 
dous adventure. 

Upon  her  prowess  and  capacity  depended  the  mara- 
time  inhabitants  of  the  archipelago.  For  more  than  a 
quarter  of  a  century  the  island  folk  had  paced   her 


//A'  OLD  STEA.\rER\S  FAREWELE, 


377 


"   decks.     Wee   toddlers    and  children   in    arms — when 
they  took  their  initial  ride — had  now  become  strong 

men  and  mature  women;  and  young  men  and  maidens, 

when  tirsl  they  walked  her  gang  plank,  were  now  old 

men  and  matrons  with  frosted  hair  and  stooping  forms. 

Faithful  to  every  trust  was  the  brave  steamer,  ar- 
,  riving  and  departing  day  by  day  Nvith  interruptions 
few.  Carrying  mainland  generous  fruits  of  the  soil 
and  products  of  the  fisheries  and  returning  wiih  goods, 
merchandise  and  supplies  of  every  kind,  suitcnl  to  the 
wants  of  island  dwellers. 

Letters  and  messages  she  brought  from  absent 
friends  and  new^s  from  the  great  world  beyond.  Even 
the  caskets  in  which  the  dead  were  laid  formed  from 
time  to  time  a  portion  of  lier  cargo,  likewise  the  marble 
headstones  and  chiselled  granites  which  mark  their 
resting  places  in  the  island  burial  ground. 

Wedding  and  funeral  parties  the  steamer's  decks 
have  trodden.  Many  a  happy  greeting,  many  a  part- 
ing tear  has  she  witnessed  and  many  a  thrilling  episode 
from  life's  histories  might  she  relate  were  she  gifted 
with  speech. 

The  preponderance  of  human  joy,  of  grief,  of 
pleasure  and  of  pain  which  she  had  borne,  seemed  in- 
deed to  have  permeated  her  until  she  appeared  a 
thing  of  human  instinct,  a  sentient  being,  a  creature 
of  feeling  and  fancy.  On  holidays  when  decked  with 
bright  flags  that  whipped  the  breeze,  she  seemed 
the  personification  of  gaiety,  accenting  her  mood 
by  jocular  salutes  to  sister  steamers  that  passed, 
and  to  camps  and  crowds  alo.ig  shore. 


.",18 


AN  OLD  STEAAfER'S  FA /JEWELL. 


In  times  of  National  calamity  and  mourning  when 
her  half  masted  fla^^s  drooped  limply  to  the  deck,  she 
assumed  an  air  of  sar^ness,  and  her  whistle  expressed 
volumes  of  pathos,  as  if  she  felt  the  general  woe  and 
her  great  heart  of  fire  and  steel  beat  sympathetic  with 
that  of  humanity. 


All  this,  however,  is  now  in  the  past,  with  faded 
memories,  and  other  dead  things.  Grown  old  with 
years  and  service  has  the  faithful  steamer.  She 
has  shipped  her  last  excursion,  carried  her  last 
coffin.  She  has  rounded  for  the  last  time  the  outreach- 
ing  sands  of  Cedar  Point  and  the  lights  of  iMarble- 
head.  For  the  last  time  she  has  threaded  the  channels 
by  treacherous  reef  and  rock  ribbed  shore  to  the 
quiet  bay. 

When  spring  returns,  and  the  robins,  a  new  craft  of 
modern  build  will  take  her  route,  and  so  the  old  steam- 
er is  to  be  dismantled.-  She  will  return  to  the  port 
from  whence  she  sailed  young  and  strong  a  quarter  of 
a  century  ago,  to  come  again  no  more. 

How  inexpressibly  sad  are  ihejinales  of  life's  ex- 
periences, and  so  while  the  old  steamer  whistles  "off 
lines,"  and  passes  forever  from  her  accustomed  moor- 
ings, and  the  crowd  on  shore  wave  parting  salutes  — 
tears  which  cannot  be  repressed  dim  the  vision. 

"Farewell,  farewell" — all  the  whistles  on  lake,  and 
land  ring  out  the  sad  refrain.  A  parting  salute  to  each 
and  to  all  she  returns;  and  echo  takes  up  her  last  and 
longest  whistle,  prolonging  the  sound  until  it  reverber- 
ates like  that  of  a  tolling  bell — "Farewell,  farewell  !" 


^A'  OLD  STEAMER'S  FAREWELL, 


379 


We  watch  her  recedln^r  hull  as  the  red  sun  il- 
lumines  her  westward  track;  then  swerving  to  North- 
ward, she  passes  beyond  the  wooded  angle  of  the 
shore  —and  is  gone. 


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